Floor plan

Style galleriesFrench classicism

French classicism

A work made of black chalk, with touches of white chalk, on cream laid paper.
The image has an elevated perspective showing two figures with animals in the scene. One person is leaning against a tree with a stick, while the other is seated on the ground. A cow is between them and other livestock in the middle distance. A person in the distance is tending to the animals. The horizon is low in the image, hidden by rolling hills. The artwork is in monochrome with fine linework, creating texture through hatching and cross-hatching, emphasizing depth and dimensionality.
The Fortune-Teller, by Georges de La Tour, probably 1630s
A work made of oil on canvas.
Queen Esther Approaching the Palace of Ahasuerus, by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée), 1658
A work made of engraving and etching on ivory laid paper.

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

Order, clarity and the ideal landscape in seventeenth-century France.

First room, north wall

  1. A work made of black chalk, with touches of white chalk, on cream laid paper.
    A ProcessionAmbroise Dubois, c. 1610Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. The image has an elevated perspective showing two figures with animals in the scene. One person is leaning against a tree with a stick, while the other is seated on the ground. A cow is between them and other livestock in the middle distance. A person in the distance is tending to the animals. The horizon is low in the image, hidden by rolling hills. The artwork is in monochrome with fine linework, creating texture through hatching and cross-hatching, emphasizing depth and dimensionality.
    Peasant Couple with CowJacques Callot, c. 1621Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. The Fortune-Teller, by Georges de La Tour, probably 1630s
    The Fortune-TellerGeorges de La Tour, probably 1630sCourtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

First room, south wall

  1. A work made of oil on canvas.
    Peasant Family at a WellThe Master of the Children's Caps, 1650/60Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. Queen Esther Approaching the Palace of Ahasuerus, by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée), 1658
    Queen Esther Approaching the Palace of AhasuerusClaude Lorrain (Claude Gellée), 1658Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. A work made of engraving and etching on ivory laid paper.
    The Wise and Foolish Virgins, plate fiveAbraham Bosse, 1635Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Second room, south wall

  1. The Holy Family on the Steps, by Nicolas Poussin, 1648
    The Holy Family on the StepsNicolas Poussin, 1648Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. This image features intricately designed ornate letters of the alphabet surrounded by elaborate illustrations. The top of the composition shows a cherub riding on an eagle, holding a crown above their head. A ribbon with inscriptions unfurls around the crown, and a sun with a human face is visible in the corner. The letters "A," "F," "D," "H," and another "H" are decorated with classical elements like putti, garlands, and mythological figures. The central panel is adorned with heraldic symbols, angelic figures, and coats of arms. The overall style of the artwork reflects baroque or renaissance decorative artistry, known for its ornamental details and classical themes.
    PendantRobert NanteuilCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. Portrait of Charlotte Duchesne, by Philippe de Champaigne, ca. 1628
    Portrait of Charlotte DuchesnePhilippe de Champaigne, ca. 1628Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  4. Perseus and the Origin of Coral, by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée), ca. 1671
    Perseus and the Origin of CoralClaude Lorrain (Claude Gellée), ca. 1671Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Second room, north wall

  1. Samson, by Valentin de Boulogne, 1630–31
    SamsonValentin de Boulogne, 1630–31Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. Saint Peter Repentant, by Georges de La Tour, 1645
    Saint Peter RepentantGeorges de La Tour, 1645Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  3. The image shows four elderly men around a table. They have long hair and beards, and appear focused as they write or take notes on tablets. They wear classical robes and sit in different postures, engaged in writing or possibly calculating. Two hold writing implements and tablets, while a third holds a scroll. Above them, a seated figure with wings is present. Light rays emanate from a dove at the top, highlighting a celestial influence. An eagle is perched nearby. Architectural elements like columns and arches are in the background. A lion's head is under the table.
    The Four EvangelistsRobert NanteuilCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Third room, north wall

  1. The Four Seasons: Autumn, by Abraham Bosse, 1635
    The Four Seasons: AutumnAbraham Bosse, 1635Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. The image is a landscape view with a natural scene depicted in fine etching. The horizon is situated towards the middle of the composition, where the land gently rises, and a subtle outline of distant hills is visible. Large rocks and foliage are depicted close to us, with a lone, barren tree extending upwards on the left side. The etching features intricate and well-defined brushstrokes, including thin lines and cross-hatching to create texture and depth. The color palette is monochromatic, with dark tones against a lighter background. In the distance, additional clusters of trees can be seen, rendered with similar linework to convey movement and detail.
    A Rocky PondLaurent de La Hyre, 1640Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. Blind Orion Searching for the Rising Sun, by Nicolas Poussin, 1658
    Blind Orion Searching for the Rising SunNicolas Poussin, 1658Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art