Portret van Nicolas Poussin 1822

Alphonse Boilly created this portrait of Nicolas Poussin sometime between 1801 and 1867, using engraving. Boilly produced this print during a time of shifting artistic and political landscapes in France, where Neoclassical ideals coexisted with emerging Romantic sensibilities. This image represents Poussin as a man of intellect and artistry. Poussin, who lived from 1594 to 1665, spent most of his working life in Rome, far from his native France. He was known for his classical compositions which usually contained historical or mythological subjects. Boilly made this portrait a century after Poussin’s death; this tells us something about Poussin's lasting influence. The engraving, with its precise lines and attention to detail, reflects an admiration for Poussin's artistic legacy. How does the act of portraying a past master shape our understanding of artistic lineage? This portrait invites us to reflect on the passage of time and the enduring power of artistic vision.