The New Student's Reference Work/Claude Lorrain

Claude Lorrain (klõd-lŏr-rān′) (real name Claude Gelée), landscape painter, was born at Champagne in 1600. When a boy, he was carried to Rome by a relative who deserted him. But he soon obtained a place as servant to a painter, learning to paint as he ground his master's colors. After wandering about Europe, he painted for ten years at Rome before his pictures were sought after; but four landscapes painted by him for the pope gave him the fame he had been working for. He painted about 400 landscapes. Among the best are the series, Morning, Noon, Evening and Twilight. Claude himself liked best his Villa Madama, keeping it in his study and refusing to sell it, even when the pope offered for it as much gold as would cover the canvas. He also produced etchings, of which Le Bouvier is the finest. Claude's pictures brought such high prices, even during his lifetime, that many copies and imitations have been sold as his. He died at Rome in November, 1682.