Camille Corot:His Works

The Goat-Herd of Genzano

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.

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