How did Claude Lorrain use atmospheric perspective to create depth?

Claude Lorrain utilized atmospheric perspective (also known as aerial perspective) as a fundamental technique to establish a sense of recession and depth in his landscape paintings.1

He achieved this effect through a gradual, subtle diminishing of both the distinctness of outlines and the intensity of color as objects receded from the foreground into the background. By modulating these visual elements, he simulated the way the atmosphere naturally affects the appearance of distant objects, causing them to appear softer, less detailed, and often lighter in tone compared to those closer to the viewer.12

This technique was further reinforced by his masterful use of light. Whether depicting the sun directly or using light from the sky, Claude employed these illumination sources to guide the viewer's eye through the composition, often using winding rivers or balanced architectural elements to lead the gaze toward the horizon. This combination of light and atmospheric modulation allowed him to create the expansive, harmonious, and poetic vistas for which he is renowned.1