Claude Lorrain was French, but came early to Italy and lived at the age of 13 in Rome. He began there a lesson with Agostino Tassi, who designed illusionist ceiling paintings. In 1625 he returned only briefly to France to work there as an assistant to the artist
Claude Deruet . But he did not stay long and soon went back to Rome, where he remained until his death.
Lorrain was a very thoughtful and emotional person, for example, he translates Biblical or mythological subjects into sensitive, pictorial scenes. In his early thirties he had established himself as a leading landscape painter. He received orders from Philip IV of Spain. Lorrain contributed at least seven large landscape paintings to the design of his palace. He also painted ten large pictures for the Duke of Paliano, Lorenzo Onofrio Colonna.
In contrast to the earlier, in the northern tradition rather small, detailed works, Lorrain had a peppy, bold and monumental style, which became even more epic and heroic with age.
Lorrain had a daughter named Agnese, who in 1653 saw the light of day. Two of his nephews also lived with him. With age, however, he created fewer and fewer images. He died at the age of 82 years.
© Meisterdrucke