One absorbed in poetry and in painting (8)
I believe the answer is:
veronese
'in painting' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'one absorbed in poetry' is the wordplay.
'absorbed in' indicates putting letters inside.
'poetry' becomes 'verse' (synonyms).
'one' placed into 'verse' is 'VERONESE'.
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for veronese that I've seen before include "Marriage at Cana artist" , "Paolo --, Italian painter" .)