Landscape with a man washing his feet at a fountain

By Permission of the National Gallery, London

Nicolas Poussin, Landscape with a man washing his feet at a fountain, known by Ruskin as Phocion, (c.1648) (Oil on canvas, 74.3 x 100.3 cm). Number 40, National Gallery. The National Gallery Catalogue argues that this painting is part of a pair with A Roman Road ( Dulwich Gallery). The rationale for this view is that the 'dimensions of the work are comparable, they were engraved as associated in 1684 by Etienne Baudet, and are similarly dated' ( Baker and Henry, National Gallery Catalogue, p.544). The painting became part of Sir George Beaumont 's collection by 1787 and was his gift to the National Gallery, 1823-8. Alain Mérot has argued that both Landscape with a man washing his feet at a fountain and its possible pair in the Dulwich Gallery demonstrate Poussin 'beginning to handle depth with a new authority' in the way that they create 'the illusion of receding space by introducing a road - straight in one case, winding in the other - which disappears into the distance partly hidden by trees'. Mérot also notes Anthony Blunt's reading of the arms 'hung on the tree in the background of Landscape with a man washing his feet' as 'an allusion to Horace's lines about the old soldier retiring from active service' ( Mérot, Nicolas Poussin, p.150).

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Nicolas Poussin 1594-1665
Landscape with a Man washing his Feet at a Fountain c.1648
Oil on canvas, 74.3x100.3cm
Provenance: Sir George Beaumont collection by 1787; his Gift, 1823/8
Further Comments: The picture is described as a traveller washing his feet. In the 1888 and following eds. It was thought Ruskin was reffering to Gaspar's 'La Riccia', but the 'olive green' green clouds are in 'Phocion' not 'La Riccia'.
Collection: National Gallery, London