The Departure for the Fields

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.

1637

The French ambassador buys two paintings

In 1637 the French ambassador to the Vatican bought two paintings from Claude, “View of the Roman Forum” and “View of a Port with the Capitol”, which are now in the Louvre.

late 1630s

Italy’s leading landscapist, with large fees

By the end of the 1630s Claude was established as the leading landscapist in Italy and enjoyed large fees; his landscapes gradually became larger but with fewer figures, more carefully painted and produced at a lower rate.

1639

Philip IV commissions seven paintings

In 1639 Philip IV of Spain commissioned seven paintings from Claude, now in the Prado, among them two landscapes with hermits.

1642

Gives up etching for painting

Claude was a skilful etcher but gave up etching for good in 1642, choosing painting.