Les Bergers d’Arcadie (Et in Arcadia Ego) / Musée du Louvre, Paris, France
Painted by Nicolas Poussin between 1638 and 1640. Poussin is linked to the enigma of Rennes-le-Château like no other artist. According to Gérard de Sède in his book ‘le Trésor Maudit de Rennes-le-Château (1967)’, Bérenger Saunière bought a copy of ‘Les Bergers d’Arcadie’ (The Shepherds of Arcadia), in Paris some time around March 1892. De Sède however was prompted by Pierre Plantard and Les Dossiers Secrets both of which are under very strong suspicion with regard to the authenticity of what they said. Additionally it is uncertain Poussin ever visited the region. He might have on his travels from France to Italy. However Poussin did produce several works that appear to be linked to the history of Rennes-le-Château.
This painting was actually the second one Poussin painted with this name. Have a look at the first one here.
