Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1796-1875), French painter, known especially for his landscapes in Romantic and realistic styles. His work presaged Impressionism.

Corot was born in Paris on July 16, 1796, the son of a draper, who reluctantly allowed him to study painting. From the academic landscape painter Victor Bertin he learned classical principles of composition, which shaped the calm, well-structured landscapes he painted from 1825 to 1828 in Italy. Examples are the Forum (1826) and the Bridge of Narni (1827), both of which are in the Louvre, Paris.

From 1828 until his death, Corot lived in Paris. During the warm months he travelled throughout Europe, painting small oil sketches that, like those executed by artists of the Barbizon School, are among the first French landscapes to be painted outdoors. Corot's oil sketches are marked by careful structure and a sense of natural light. During the winter months he worked in his studio, producing large salon pieces with biblical or historical subjects. By 1845, after winning critical acclaim, Corot began to sell his work. His landscapes thereafter became imaginary creations bathed in a filmy romantic atmosphere achieved by silvery tones and soft brushstrokes. Examples of this proto-Impressionistic style, for which he became famous, are versions of Ville d'Avray and Memory of Mortefontaine (1864, Louvre). Although he tended to repeat his success in this vein to meet popular demand, he also painted such outstanding works as The Belfry at Douai (1871, Louvre) in his earlier classical style. Portraits and figure studies also form part of his oeuvre. He was generous to his friends and pupils with both time and money, earning the title père (“father”) Corot. He died in Paris on February 22, 1875.