Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1796-1875)
Corot was born in Paris to parents who were successful milliners on the Rue du Bac. Corot had always been poor at academics and was unable to follow his fathers trade. He was keen on pursuing art and at the age of 26,his parents reluctantly agreed to support his aspirations. He was given some many and he began training under Michallon,a young landscape painter who had
received acclaim for his work. After Michallon's death, he studied classical principles of composition from academic landscape painter Victor Bertin, whose teachings shaped the calm, well-structured landscapes Corot painted in Italy. His work in Italy mainly involved
plain-air oil sketches.
Corot returned to Paris in 1828. He spent his time producing landscape works and developing his style. During the winter he worked in his studio on different subject matter-largely biblical and historic themes. During this period he learned how to diversify his brush technique
and usage of color. Corot soon began to sell his artwork. He worked on several paintings that embody the artistic qualities that he is remembered for. At the Salon of 1835, he exhibited 'Hagar in the Wilderness', a highly original historical landscape of great ambition. Corot spent the summer of 1840 in the Morvan; he made a third trip to Italy in 1843. By 1844 he was a friend of
Theodore Rousseau. In 1845 the city of Paris commissioned Corot to paint an altarpiece for a Parisian church. During the short-lived
liberalization of the Salon under the Republic, Corot was elected to the Salon Jury in 1848 and 1849. He was awarded a second-class medal in 1848. Around 1850, he established a friendship with Millet.
Corot influenced many young painters. He taught several aspiring artists including Manet and Berthe Morisot from the Impressionist group.
Corot died in Paris on 22 February, 1875.
His Works
Corot brought a new and personal poetry in the Classical tradition of composed landscape and an unaffected naturalness which had hitherto been foreign to it. Through he represented nature realistically, he did not idealize the peasant or the labors of agriculture in the manner of Millet and Courbet, and was uninvolved in ideological controversy.
Some of the paintings that made Corot famous are 'Une Matinée (Dance of the Nymphs)', that
was purchased by the state after the 1850-1851 Salon, 'Souvenir of Mortefontaine' that was purchased by the Emperor and 'Forest of Fontainebleau'.
Corot's once said "Whatever is finished at one sitting is fresher, better drawn, and profits from many lucky accidents, while when one re-touches this initial harmonious glow is lost." This is perhaps a metaphor for Corot's attitude towards his art. He did not try to dabble in one too many styles as did many of his
contemporaries. Instead he perfected his own poetic style of art and had a lasting influence on many aspiring Impressionist painters.