Nicolas Poussin

Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665) was a French painter and a leading figure of the Baroque movement. He is renowned for his classical approach to composition and his emphasis on clarity, order, and rationality in art. Poussin spent much of his career in Rome, where he developed a distinctive style that combined elements of classical antiquity with contemporary themes. His works, such as "The Arcadian Shepherds" and "The Burial of Phocion," have had a lasting influence on the development of Western art, particularly in the realms of history painting and landscape. Poussin's legacy is marked by his role in establishing a new standard for artistic expression that prioritized intellectual engagement and moral themes. His exact influence on subsequent artists is difficult to quantify, but he is often credited with shaping the direction of French painting in the 17th century and beyond.