XVII century is time of French State, French nation forming. In the second part of century France was the most powerful State of West Europe. This is also time of French national fine arts school forming, classical trend forming.
French arts fine of XVII century is based on the traditions of French Renaissance. Painting and graphic art of Fouke and Clue, sculptures of Pylon, arts architecture of Francisco I reign, palace Fontebleau and Louvre, poetry of Ronsar and prose of Rable, philosophical experiments of Monten – this all has a stamp of classicistic understanding of form, strict logic, rationalism, feeling of refinement. In literature classicism is connected with the name of Pierre Cornel, a great poet and creator of French theatre. In 1635 the Academy of literature was organized in Paris; and classicism became an official trend, main literature stream.
In a sphere of fine art the process of classicism forming was not so unified. The features of a new style were noticed in architecture first. In painting art the situation was not so easy, because here was great influence of mannerism, Flemish and Italian barokko. Also great impact made caravaggism and realistic art of Holland. Art array of painting is also elevated. They lack narration, illustration, composition is strictly thought out and static, details are thoroughly checked first of all for ethic and moral side of the artwork. Landscape is very important in artworks of Lenen. Lately in art literature the name of the trend to which Lenen belongs can be classified as “painting of real world”. Here also belongs the creative work of George de Latur (1593 – 1652). In his first works he is an artist who is close to Caravaggio. Already in his early art works his main feature is revealed: inexhaustible multiplicity of images, majesty of colors, ability to create monumental images.
