French Painting in 17th century

Question 1

The Fortuneteller

Answer 1

Georges de la Tour from 1630-34 in France

• Depicts a young aristocrat being pickpocketed by four female gypsies
• The painting was lightly influenced by Caravaggio
• Currently in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
• Le Tour’s work like this painting is meant to be humorous while warning against bad behavior

Question 2

Christ with St. Joseph in the Carpenter’s Shop

Answer 2

Georges de la Tour from 1635-40 in France

• A contemporary depiction of Jesus and Joseph’s relationship
• The lighting and shadows mimics Caravaggio’s style
• The lighted candle Jesus holds is a symbol of how Jesus is the light of the world
• Currently in the Louvre in Paris
• Reflects the Catholics’ recent elevation of Joseph as Jesus’s earthly father and the growing interest in the missing stories of Jesus’s childhood

Question 3

Peasant Family in the Interior

Answer 3

The Le Nain Brothers from 1645-48 in France

• The brothers were well known for their peasant portraits
• Unlike the Dutch paintings, the portrait depicts an actual representation of a hard working, peasant family
• A unique trait of the painting is that the surface of the canvas is not as heavily painted in some parts
• Currently in the Louvre in Paris

Question 4

The Finding of Moses

Answer 4

Nicolas Poussin from 1638 in Italy

• At the time, Moses being rescued by Pharoah’s daughter is a popular subject
• Moses as the one who lead the Hebrews out of Egypt was popular among rulers
• The figures are captured from ancient Roman sarcophagi
• The painting is a cabinet painting meant for private spaces
• Currently in the Louvre in Paris

Question 5

Landscape with St. John on Patmos

Answer 5

Nicolas Poussin from 1640 in Italy

• Depicts St. John writing the book of Revelations, however in the Bible, he’s locked in a prison on the island
• Currently in the Art Institute of Chicago
• The eagle in the painting is a traditional symbol of St. John
• The painting is a part of a pendent with the other painting being focused on St. Matthew
• The ruins suggests the fall of the paganism of the Greco-Roman world and it being replaced by Christianity

Question 6

Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba

Answer 6

Claude Lorrain from 1648 in Italy

• The paintings is a cabinet painting which is for private spaces
• Currently in the National Gallery in London
• The painting falls into the category of Lorroine’s imaginary seaports
• Commissioned by Frederic-Maurice de la Tour d’Auvergne
• Depicts Queen Sheba’s voyage to Jerusaleum to meet King Solomon from the book of Kings