Gaspard Dughet (1615 - 1675) - Rest by the water

Gaspard Dughet (1615-1675), also known as Gaspard Poussin, is one of the great exponents of 17th-century classical landscape painting. Trained in Rome in the circle of his brother-in-law Nicolas Poussin, he developed an art deeply influenced by the Roman countryside and the ideals inherited from Antiquity. His balanced and harmonious compositions, imbued with pastoral poetry, made him a leading figure in Arcadian landscape painting, admired by collectors and artists well into the 19th century. His works are held in prestigious institutions such as the Louvre Museum, the National Gallery in London, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

This painting, entitled "Rest by the Water," perfectly illustrates Gaspard Dughet's style. The scene unfolds in a wooded valley, where three figures rest peacefully by a stream and in the grass. The balanced composition, the atmospheric depth that draws the eye towards a luminous distance, and the great sensitivity in rendering the foliage and interplay of light all testify to a mastery of the idealized landscape. The serene and contemplative atmosphere emanating from the work, combined with a harmonious and timeless nature, reflects all the beauty of the pastoral dream developed by the artist.