Study of a Group of Trees

The drawing Study of a Group of Trees by Nicolas Poussin, executed sometime between 1620 and 1655, is a compelling example of the French master’s dedication to observational drawing. Rendered in pen and brown ink, this study demonstrates Poussin’s mastery of line, relying on precise, economical strokes to define the complex textures and densities of the natural world. Classified simply as a drawing, the work’s function was likely twofold: an exercise in translating three-dimensional forms into two dimensions, and potentially a preparatory sketch for specific landscape elements within his larger narrative paintings.

Created during Poussin’s influential period in Rome, where he largely defined the standards of the Classical landscape, this piece highlights how foundational direct observation was to his compositional process. While the artist is renowned for his meticulously constructed historical scenes, studies focused purely on trees and topography were essential for achieving the compositional balance and idealized naturalism seen in his paysage composé. The swift application of the brown ink, utilizing hatching and cross-hatching, effectively captures light and volume, giving the group of trees an undeniable sense of sculptural weight. This significant work is maintained in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As this classical masterwork is now considered part of the public domain, high-quality prints and reproductions are often made available, ensuring wide accessibility to Poussin’s rigorous drawing technique.