This volume contains the essentials of what we know about Nicolas Poussin through its own writings or the testimonies of those who knew it. These texts do not allude both of him in himself as in his way of painting, thinking or living; The artist could not be understood without knowing man. Fortunately, the documents allow a fairly clear opinion of their ideas and their character: in Rimer place their letters? More than one hundred and eighty in total?, After their "observations" around the art of painting found among their posthumous manuscripts, and Finally the testimony of his first biocrapters: Bellori, Félibien, Sandrart, and some travelers who were lucky enough to meet him.