Claude Lorrain (1600 – 23 November 1682), born Claude Gellée, was a prominent French painter and one of the leading landscape artists of the Baroque era. Renowned for his masterful depictions of idealized landscapes, Claude Lorrain's works had a profound influence on the development of landscape painting.

Born in the Duchy of Lorraine, Claude moved to Rome at a young age, where he spent the majority of his artistic career. His early years in Rome involved working as a pastry cook, but his passion for painting led him to study under various landscape painters.

Claude Lorrain's paintings are characterised by their poetic and harmonious representation of nature. He often infused his landscapes with classical and mythological themes, creating idealised scenes bathed in soft, golden light. Claude's skillful use of atmospheric perspective and delicate brushwork contributed to the serene and timeless quality of his works.

One of Claude's significant innovations was his systematic approach to depicting landscapes, using a series of compositional elements that became known as the "Claude glass" or "black mirror." This small, tinted convex mirror helped artists observe scenes with reduced tonal range, enabling them to capture the picturesque quality that Claude achieved in his paintings.

Claude Lorrain's popularity extended beyond his lifetime, and his influence continued through the centuries. His works were highly sought after by collectors, and many artists, including J.M.W. Turner, found inspiration in his idyllic landscapes. Claude's legacy also reached literature, as poets and writers drew upon his paintings to evoke a sense of the sublime and the pastoral.

Despite facing criticism from some contemporaries who believed his idealised landscapes departed too much from reality, Claude Lorrain's artistic vision prevailed, earning him a lasting place in the history of landscape painting. Today, his works are housed in prestigious museums and collections worldwide, showcasing the enduring appeal of his timeless and evocative landscapes.