Poussin's Arcadian Vision

Engaging and informative, 'Poussin's Arcadian Vision' offers an explanation for the ingenious symbolism recently discovered in French Baroque painter Poussin's Les Bergers d'Arcadie. A convincing argument unfolds concerning the interaction between Poussin's personal views on religion and spirituality and the larger intersections of symbolism, religion and politics prevalent among intellectuals in seventeenth century Europe. How the symbolic heritage of Western esoteric tradition influenced Poussin's work is explored in detail. The findings place Poussin within a discrete network of intellectual circles frequented by some of the greatest minds of the era. With the hindsight of art history, a greater understanding of the status of Les Bergers d'Arcadie is garnered especially its subliminal use of sophisticated themes in symbolism found in art of the period. This analysis of Les Bergers d'Arcadie investigates the specific role of sacred geometry and numerology, common elements in the philosophical language of religion and politics of the time, and speculates as to how the deeply coded composition may act as a visual tool for personal enlightenment. Woven into the discussion of symbolism in art is a commentary on the role of pastoral ideas on seventeenth and eighteenth century religion and spirituality, and how specific details within Les Bergers d'Arcadie, such as the inscription 'Et in Arcadia Ego', demonstrate Poussin's role in the contemporary intellectual search for an elusive Golden Age. This new philosophical look at art history, however, also reveals how Poussin's work can be interpreted in the twenty-first century. Decrypting its symbolism could reveal the true nature of the spiritual treasure of Rennes-le-Chateau, one of the great mysteries that in recent history has defied convincing explanation.