He was most interested in the great works of the Italian Renaissance and of his own classical French heritage , hence this detailed copy of Poussin 's painting .
Degas first received permission to copy paintings at the Louvre in 1853 when he was eighteen .
Degas was most interested in the great works of the Italian Renaissance and of Degas ' own classical French heritage , hence this detailed copy of Poussin 's painting .
Degas first received permission to copy paintings at the Louvre in 1853 when he was eighteen .