The Annotated Mona Lisa: Pages 62 - 63

Question 1

Poussin: Master of Composition

Answer 1

• most famous French painter of the seventeenth century
• Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665)
• painted Louvre ceiling fresco
• work exerted large influence on the course of French art for the next 2 centuries

Question 2

Claude: Nature as Ideal

Answer 2

• Claude Lorrain (1600-82)
• best known painter after Poussin
• inspired by nature

Question 3

Versailles: Palace of Pomp

Answer 3

• pinnacle of Baroque was the chateau of Versailles
• tribute to King Louis XIV (1638-1715)
• designed to impress visitors with the splendor of both France and his royal self