Floor plan

Style galleriesFrench classicism

French classicism

Still Life with Shells and a Chip-Wood Box, by Sebastian Stoskopff, late 1620s
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.
Portrait of Charlotte Duchesne, by Philippe de Champaigne, ca. 1628
The Fortune-Teller, by Georges de La Tour, probably 1630s
A work made of black chalk, with touches of white chalk, on cream laid paper.
Painting of Greek landscape, classical architecture, yellow, red robed man reading.

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. Still Life with Shells and a Chip-Wood Box, by Sebastian Stoskopff, late 1620s
    Still Life with Shells and a Chip-Wood BoxSebastian Stoskopff, late 1620sCourtesy of The Metropolitan 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

First room, south wall

  1. The Fortune-Teller, by Georges de La Tour, probably 1630s
    The Fortune-TellerGeorges de La Tour, probably 1630sCourtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. 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
  3. Painting of Greek landscape, classical architecture, yellow, red robed man reading.
    Landscape with Saint John on PatmosNicolas Poussin, 1640Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Second room, south wall

  1. A work made of oil on panel.
    MeeknessEustache Le Sueur, 1650Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. 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
  3. The image shows an etching of a rural landscape with trees obscuring the horizon. In the distance, there is a cart on a winding path with a person walking beside it. Closer to the viewer, there is a person with a child under a tree, accompanied by a small dog. The artwork features fine and detailed brushwork with cross-hatching for texture and shadows. The color scheme is monochromatic in muted browns, emphasizing details and creating a peaceful scene under soft light filtered through the trees. The trees form a canopy framing the serene setting.
    Edge of a Wood with Peasants Going to MarketJean MorinCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  4. 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

Second room, north wall

  1. 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
  2. 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 Trojan Women Setting Fire to Their Fleet, by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée), ca. 1643
    The Trojan Women Setting Fire to Their FleetClaude Lorrain (Claude Gellée), ca. 1643Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. The Holy Family on the Steps, by Nicolas Poussin, 1648
    The Holy Family on the StepsNicolas Poussin, 1648Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art

Third room, south wall

  1. The Four Seasons: Autumn, by Abraham Bosse, 1635
    The Four Seasons: AutumnAbraham Bosse, 1635Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  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