Landscape with a Bridge

1620s

Stops in Marseille, Genoa and Venice

On his travels Claude stayed briefly in Marseille, Genoa and Venice and had the opportunity to study nature in France, Italy and Bavaria.

late 1620s

Meets Joachim von Sandrart

In the late 1620s Claude met Joachim von Sandrart, who would write one of his early biographies and lived with him for a while; Sandrart reported that Claude already had a habit of sketching outdoors, particularly at dawn and dusk, and of making oil studies on the spot.

1633–1635

Growing fame: commissions from the French ambassador and Philip IV

Claude’s growing reputation was shown by commissions from the French ambassador in Rome (1633) and from Philip IV of Spain (1634–35).

1634

Admitted to the Academy of Saint Luke

In 1634 Claude was admitted to the Academy of Saint Luke.

1635

Recognition: his pictures are in demand

From 1635 Claude’s work was recognised and his paintings were in great demand; his patrons included Pope Urban VIII (four works), Cardinal Bentivoglio and Prince Colonna.

1635–1638

Pope Urban VIII commissions four paintings

According to Baldinucci, Cardinal Guido Bentivoglio, impressed by the two landscapes Claude painted for him, recommended the artist to Pope Urban VIII; four paintings were made for the Pope in 1635–38, two large and two small on copper.