Camille Corot

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, or better known as just Camille Corot, was a famous French landscape and portrait painter as well as a printmaker in etching. Corot was the leading painter of the Barbizon school of France in the mid-nineteenth century.  He is a pivotal figure in landscape painting and his beautiful technique simultaneously references the Neo-Classical style. He also enjoyed painting outside; the Plein-air innovations of Impressionism. His oil sketches were recognizable for their technical freedom and clear colour.

In his early years, Corot received a scholarship to study at the Lycée Pierre-Corneille in Rouen but left after having difficulties keeping up with the work and understanding concepts. After leaving, he entered a boarding school, which was easier for him. Honestly, going to a top school in France, and going to a boarding school to have it easier is crazy. He was not deemed a brilliant student (honestly, same), and throughout his entire school career, he did not get a single nomination for a prize, not even for the drawing classes. Learning about this was so relatable and comforting in a way, knowing that this great artist started just like me. It helps me set some realistic standards for myself,  which is a whole new concept to me. Unlike many masters who demonstrated early talent and inclinations toward art, before he really started getting into art, Corot showed no such interest. He honestly was straight vibing. I also thought that it was pretty cool that later in life, he cited Leonardo da Vinci (not to be confused with Leonardo Dicaprio, because yes they are very similar people).

Corot followed the pattern of French painters who went to Italy to study the masters of the Italian Renaissance. Corot’s stay in Italy from 1825-1828 was highly productive, completing over 200 drawings and 150 paintings, which is a lot so go, Corot!!