around 1490 - around 1560 · Sens and Paris
Discover Jean Cousin the Elder, hand reproduced in oil on canvas.
around 1490 - around 1560 · Sens and Paris
Jean Cousin the Elder was probably born around 1490 in the Sens region. An artist with multiple practices, he worked as a painter, designer, tapestry cardboard maker, stained glass designer, engraver and perspective theorist. Based in Paris, he participated in the ephemeral decorations of the entry of Henry II in 1549 alongside Jean Goujon and published in 1560 a Book of Perspective which testifies to his interest in the rational construction of space. Eva Prima Pandora is his most famous work. The elongated female figure brings together two stories: Eve, the first woman in the biblical tradition, and Pandora, the first woman in Greek mythology. The inscription of the title, the serpent, the skull, vase and other attributes construct an enigma about desire, fault, knowledge and death. The rocky landscape and mannerist pose combine beauty of the body and moral concern. Augustus and the Sibyl of Tibur connect imperial power and Christian prophecy: the Sibyl reveals to Augustus a vision announcing Christ, bringing Antiquity and the history of salvation into dialogue. Charity personifies a vision announcing Christ, bringing Antiquity and the history of salvation into dialogue. Charity personifies a virtue through the maternal body and the gesture of protection. The Thirteenth harbinger of the end of the world belongs to an apocalyptic iconography where the entire earth becomes the scene of a predicted catastrophe. These subjects show the intellectual magnitude of Cousin, but several attributions of paintings remain discussed due to the studio work and the proximity to his son Jean Cousin the Younger. Died around 1560, the artist above all leaves the image of a creator capable of linking theory, monument, printed image and scholarly painting. The selection "Jean Cousin the Elder" notably compares Eva Prima Pandora and Auguste and Tibur's Sibylle. His reading favors the material.
Cousin constructs images to decipher: the body first attracts the eye, then the inscription, attribute and perspective reveal a network of humanist senses.
Course & style
The religious construction site, cardboard and geometry give Cousin a visual culture based on line and construction. This milestone sheds light on the "Jean Cousin the Elder" collection by favoring the material.
Painting, tapestry, engraving and entry of Henry II bring together Antiquity, allegory and political celebration.
Eva Prima Pandora then the Book of Perspective bring to maturity an art as intellectual as it is sensual.
Elongation, twisting and continuous contour give the figure a strange elegance that goes beyond ordinary anatomy. This line guides a reading of "John Cousin the Elder" centered on matter.
Vase, snake, skull or prophetic gesture forces the viewer to connect several reading traditions.
Architecture, soil and landscape demonstrate explicit reflection on ways to construct space.
The same drawing can become painting, stained glass, tapestry, engraving or ephemeral decoration depending on the sponsor.
Explore by universe
Works, visual language and historical landmarks make up a journey exclusively devoted to Jean Cousin the Elder.
Eve and Pandora merge into an elongated figure surrounded by attributes of desire, knowledge and mortality.
Landmark work of Jean Cousin the Elder. Reading of "Jean Cousin the Elder" through the material.The visionary gesture of the Sibyl connects the Roman emperor to the Christian proclamation in a skillfully composed story.
Landmark work by Jean Cousin the ElderThe maternal body and protective gestures transform a moral notion into an immediately sensitive presence.
Landmark work by Jean Cousin the ElderThe death of every living being transforms the entire landscape into a moral warning of spectacular power.
Landmark work by Jean Cousin the ElderElongation, twisting and continuous contour give the figure a strange elegance that goes beyond ordinary anatomy. This line guides a reading of "John Cousin the Elder" centered on matter.
Reading key for Jean Cousin the ElderVase, snake, skull or prophetic gesture forces the viewer to connect several reading traditions.
Reading key for Jean Cousin the ElderWorks to discover
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Each painting is made in oil on canvas by a specialized artist, then checked with you before shipping.
Each reproduction is unique. Slight variations of touch and material testify to the painter's manual work.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. Each reproduction is hand painted in oil on canvas, without printing.
The painter uses the composition, values, colors and materials visible in the chosen work from the Jean Cousin the Elder collection, with particular attention paid to the material.
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Detailed photographs are sent before shipping; you can request edits before sending.
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Simple answers on the painting by hand, formats, alterations and delivery of your reproduction.
The essential points before choosing your reproduction.
Yes. Every reproduction is made by hand in painting at theoil on canvas by an experienced artist. This is neither a print nor a printed canvas.
Yes. Before shipping, we send you a detailed photo of the canvas. Up to 7 sets of edits are included to adjust the rendering before your validation.
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Yes, you can choose a standard format or ask us for a custom size to suit your space.
Depending on the options available, the canvas can be delivered alone, mounted on a frame or prepared for framing. Details are shown on the product page.
Yes. You can send us an image, museum reference, name of a work or photo to request one reproduction personalized.
Some useful guidelines for choosing a work, its format and the location that will best highlight it.
This selection brings together works designed for art lovers who want to rediscover the spirit of one painting famous in a hand painted canvas. Each reproduction can be adapted to the desired format and validated in photos before shipment.
The available formats allow the work to be adapted to a more specific living room, bedroom, office or decorative project. There painting is carried out at theoil on canvas with particular attention to colors, textures and general balance.
If you are looking for a similar work, a similar artist or a specific format, you can ask for advice. Reproductions can be adjusted before sending using photo validation.
