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How did Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain create ideal landscapes?
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Landscape painting
River Landscape in the Late Afternoon, oil on canvas by Adriaen van de Velde, 1663; in a private collection.
In the 17th century, Nicolas Poussin and Claude Lorrain developed the "ideal landscape," a genre that sought to present nature as more harmonious and beautiful than it appears in reality. Working primarily in Rome, both artists utilized Classical concepts to elevate the status of landscape painting.12
Methods of Creation
- Classical Composition: They constructed scenes based on the mythic, idyllic Arcadia, often incorporating Classical ruins and figures dressed in biblical or mythological costumes.12
- Harmonious Order: Poussin integrated figures with their settings in a strict, uncompromising manner, often contrasting "irregular" natural forms with geometrically perfected architecture. Claude utilized a formulaic approach, balancing tall trees against ruins and using winding rivers to guide the viewer’s eye toward the horizon.32
- Atmospheric Perspective: Claude was a master of light, particularly the effects of dawn and evening. He used atmospheric perspective—gradually diminishing the distinctness of outlines and colors—to create a sense of deep, spacious recession.2
- Metaphor and Heroism: Both artists imbued their works with metaphorical meaning, often emphasizing the heroic power of nature over humanity.1