How did Nicolas Poussin influence Jacques-Louis David and Neoclassical painting?

Nicolas Poussin was a foundational figure for Neoclassicism, as his work served as a primary model for the movement's revival of the Classical tradition at the end of the 18th century.12

Poussin’s influence on Jacques-Louis David and the broader Neoclassical style was rooted in several key principles:

• Rationality and Discipline: Poussin moved away from sensuous, color-driven styles in favor of a rational, disciplined approach inspired by Raphael and antiquity. This emphasis on order and narrative clarity became a cornerstone for Neoclassical painters.1
• Line over Colour: Poussin’s legacy was upheld by the "Poussinists," who prioritized line and design over the color-focused approach of the "Rubenists." This preference for linear design became a defining characteristic of Neoclassical painting by the 1790s.23
• Moral and Historical Gravity: David and his contemporaries drew upon Poussin’s tradition of history painting to depict themes of stoic virtue, heroism, and moral subject matter. While David’s work eventually pushed toward a more austere and monumental style, the foundational gravity and decorum he employed were deeply indebted to the Classical tradition Poussin had established.13