Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
Early Life and Education
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot was born on July 16, 1796, in Paris, France. He was the son of a wealthy wigmaker and a milliner. Corot's early education was typical for a child of his social standing, involving a classical education that included studies in Latin and Greek. However, his artistic inclinations were evident from a young age, and he often spent time sketching and painting landscapes.
Despite his early interest in art, Corot initially pursued a career in business at the behest of his parents. He worked as a draper's assistant, a profession he found unfulfilling. It wasn't until he was 26 years old that he was able to fully dedicate himself to painting, thanks to a modest inheritance from his parents.
Artistic Training and Influences
Corot's formal artistic training began in 1822 when he studied under Achille-Etna Michallon, a landscape painter who had been a student of Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes. Michallon introduced Corot to the principles of Neoclassicism and the importance of painting en plein air (outdoors). This method of painting directly from nature would become a hallmark of Corot's work.
After Michallon's untimely death in 1822, Corot continued his studies under Jean-Victor Bertin, another prominent landscape painter. Bertin's influence further solidified Corot's commitment to landscape painting and helped him refine his technique.
Travels and Early Works
In 1825, Corot embarked on a three-year trip to Italy, a journey that would profoundly impact his artistic development. During his time in Italy, he painted numerous landscapes, capturing the beauty of the Roman countryside, the Campagna, and the city of Rome itself. His Italian works, such as "View of the Roman Campagna from Tivoli," are characterized by their luminous quality and meticulous attention to detail.
Upon returning to France in 1828, Corot continued to travel extensively, visiting regions such as Normandy, Brittany, and the Forest of Fontainebleau. These travels provided him with a wealth of material for his paintings and allowed him to develop his unique style, which blended elements of Neoclassicism and Romanticism.
Mature Style and Major Works
By the 1830s, Corot had begun to establish himself as a significant figure in the French art world. His works were regularly exhibited at the Salon, the official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. One of his early successes was "The Bridge at Narni," exhibited at the Salon of 1827, which received critical acclaim for its atmospheric quality and masterful use of light.
Corot's mature style is characterized by a delicate balance between realism and idealism. His landscapes often feature soft, diffused light and a harmonious composition that evokes a sense of tranquility. Notable works from this period include "Ville d'Avray," "The Lake," and "Morning, Dance of the Nymphs."
Influence on the Barbizon School
Corot's work had a significant influence on the Barbizon School, a group of painters who sought to break away from the academic conventions of the time and focus on naturalistic depictions of the landscape. Artists such as Théodore Rousseau, Jean-François Millet, and Charles-François Daubigny were inspired by Corot's approach to painting en plein air and his emphasis on capturing the transient effects of light and atmosphere.
Later Years and Legacy
In his later years, Corot continued to paint prolifically, producing some of his most celebrated works. Despite his success, he remained modest and generous, often providing financial support to younger artists and donating paintings to charitable causes.
Corot's influence extended beyond his lifetime, impacting the development of Impressionism and modern landscape painting. Artists such as Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro acknowledged Corot's role in paving the way for their explorations of light and color.
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot died on February 22, 1875, in Paris. He is remembered as one of the foremost landscape painters of the 19th century, whose work bridged the gap between Neoclassicism and the emerging modernist movements.