Early Life and Training

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, born on July 16, 1796, in Paris, was a pivotal French landscape and portrait painter and printmaker in etching. His work, merging Neo-Classical tradition with Impressionism's plein-air innovations, established him as a central figure in landscape painting. Corot, born into a bourgeois family, enjoyed a financially secure upbringing, which was uncommon among his artistic peers. His father, a wig maker, and his mother, a milliner, ran a successful millinery shop, ensuring the family's comfortable lifestyle. Corot received his initial education at the Lycée Pierre-Corneille in Rouen but struggled academically.

Artistic Development

At 21, Corot moved into a new family residence, utilizing the attic as his first studio. Initially working in his father's drapery business, he despised commercial life and, at 26, convinced his father to allow him to pursue art. His business background enriched his aesthetic sensibilities, particularly through exposure to various fabrics and textures. Corot began oil painting around 1821, primarily focusing on landscapes. By 1822, following his sister's death, he received an annual allowance that supported his artistic endeavors, including renting a studio on quai Voltaire.

Notable Works

Some of Corot's notable works include:

• The Forest of Coubron (96 x 78 cm, Oil On Canvas), showcasing his mastery of capturing the natural beauty of the world.
• Venise, La Piazzetta (1835, Realism, Oil), a promenade in Venice, currently on display at the Musée du Louvre in Paris.
• Haydée, Young Woman in Greek Dress (Realism, Oil), featuring one of Corot's favorite models, inspired by the heroine of Byron's poem Don Juan or the Count of Monte-Cristo.

Influence and Legacy

Corot's work had a profound influence on the development of modern art, particularly in its emphasis on subjective expression. He paved the way for movements like Fauvism, Cubism, and Abstract Expressionism. Explore more of Corot's works at https://WahooArt.com/@/Jean-Baptiste-Camille-Corot Discover the history of the nude in art at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_nude_in_art

Conclusion

Jean Baptiste Camille Corot's legacy as a central figure in landscape painting endures, with his works continuing to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike. His innovative style, blending Neo-Classical tradition with Impressionism's plein-air innovations, has left an indelible mark on the world of art.

• Visit the Musée du Louvre in Paris to see Corot's works in person.
• Explore more of Corot's paintings at https://WahooArt.com/@@/7Z4Q8P-Jean-Baptiste-Camille-Corot-Goat-herds
• Learn about the history of the nude in art at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_nude_in_art

**Early Life and Training**

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, born on July 16, 1796, in Paris, was a pivotal French landscape and portrait painter and printmaker in etching. His work, merging Neo-Classical tradition with Impressionism's plein-air innovations, established him as a central figure in landscape painting. Corot, born into a bourgeois family, enjoyed a financially secure upbringing, which was uncommon among his artistic peers. His father, a wig maker, and his mother, a milliner, ran a successful millinery shop, ensuring the family's comfortable lifestyle. Corot, the second of three children, received his initial education at the Lycée Pierre-Corneille in Rouen but struggled academically.

**Artistic Development**

Corot began oil painting, primarily focusing on landscapes, and by 1822, following his sister's death, he received an annual allowance that supported his artistic endeavors. His early training was with Achille Etna Michallon, a landscape painter and protégé of Jacques-Louis David. Michallon introduced Corot to outdoor sketching and painting, particularly in Fontainebleau's forests, Normandy's seaports, and villages west of Paris.

• Haydée, Young Woman in Greek Dress (c. 1845), a notable example of Corot's early work, showcases his ability to capture the essence of his subjects.
• Corot's notebooks from this period reveal meticulous studies of natural forms, reflecting Northern Realism's influence.
• This synthesis of styles would come to characterize Corot's significant contribution to landscape painting in the 19th century.

**Notable Works and Collections**

• The Forest of Coubron (c. 1865), a prominent example of Corot's landscape work, is now part of the collection at the Musée du Louvre in Paris.
• Corot's Venise, La Piazzetta (1835) is another notable piece, currently on display at the Musée du Louvre.
• The Schackgalerie, a museum in Munich, Germany, features an impressive collection of late Romanticism paintings, including works by Corot's contemporaries.

**Legacy and Influence**

Corot's work had a profound impact on the development of landscape painting, influencing generations of artists to come. His innovative approach to capturing light and atmosphere in his landscapes paved the way for the Impressionist movement. **View Corot's Artworks on WahooArt.com:** [https://WahooArt.com/@/Jean-Baptiste-Camille-Corot](https://WahooArt.com/@/jean-baptiste-camille-corot) **Explore the Schackgalerie Collection on WahooArt.com:** [https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3BFFR](https://WahooArt.com/art.nsf/o/a@d3bffr)