Listen "Emily A. Beeny"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, art advisor and Reading the Art World host, Megan Fox Kelly, speaks with Emily A. Beeny, curator at The Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco and co-author with Francesca Whitlum-Cooper of the book, Poussin and the Dance. Their conversation takes an in-depth look at Nicolas Poussin in 17th century Rome — a city rich with classical sculpture from antiquity and Renaissance paintings that led the artist to formulate an entirely new style of painting. Long considered one of the most influential French painters of the 17th century, the French Neoclassicist Poussin is seen in a wholly new light.Beeny talks with me about how Poussin’s paintings from the 1620s and 1630s of gods and goddesses, biblical and historical figures, are choreographed across his canvases like dancers on a stage. Tracing the motif of dance throughout this period, the book examines how Poussin devised new methods of composition and depicting motion. We explore Poussin’s artistic process and influences, notably his use of wax figurines to choreograph the compositions he drew and painted. Purchase “Poussin and the Dance,” by Emily A. Beeny and Francesca Witlum-Cooper, at shop.getty.edu or nationalllery.co.uk.Music composed by Bob Golden.
More episodes of the podcast Reading the Art World
Megan Fontanella
12/11/2025
Susan Davidson
08/10/2025
Summer's Great Art Books
30/07/2025
Ian Wardropper
10/06/2025
Sarah Roberts
09/05/2025
Michael Findlay
27/02/2025
Sebastian Smee
15/01/2025
Art Books for Holiday Gifting
02/12/2024
Mary Morton & Kimberly Jones
14/11/2024
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.