Contents
Nicolas Poussin
Giving classical stories a precise visual order in paintings such as The Shepherds of Arcadia.
The Death of Germanicus · The Shepherds of Arcadia
- Born
- June 1594
- Birthplace
- Les Andelys, France
- Died
- 19 November 1665
More people
Nicolas Poussin
French painter who spent most of his career in Rome, creating carefully composed scenes from history, myth and scripture.
Early life
Normandy childhood
Was born near Les Andelys; details of his earliest training remain uncertain.
Paris studies
Moved to Paris as a young man and studied earlier art through royal collections and prints.
Career
- 1624–1630s
Rome
Built relationships with patrons and developed his classical approach.
- 1640–1642
Royal service
Returned to France to work for Louis XIII before leaving court life.
- 1642–1665
Later Roman years
Painted for private collectors, giving landscape an increasingly important role.
Selected work
The Death of Germanicus
A Roman deathbed scene organized around grief and duty.
The Shepherds of Arcadia
Shepherds encounter a tomb in an idealized landscape.
The Four Seasons
A late series connecting landscapes with biblical stories.
Behind the paintings
Patronage
Worked for learned collectors including Cassiano dal Pozzo.
Marriage
Married Anne-Marie Dughet, whose family had cared for him during illness.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗The Shepherds of Arcadia — Louvre ↗Photo: Nicolas Poussin. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
