Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot Painting Reproductions 3 of 4

Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot was a French landscape painter and printmaker who was born in Paris on July 16, 1796. He is considered one of the greatest artists of the 19th century and a precursor to the Impressionist movement.

Corot's family was involved in the textile trade, but he showed an early interest in art. In 1816, he was apprenticed to a draper, but he continued to study painting in his spare time. In 1822, he began studying with the Neoclassical painter Jean-Victor Bertin, who encouraged him to paint outdoors.

Corot made his first trip to Italy in 1825, where he studied the works of the Old Masters and was particularly inspired by the landscapes of Claude Lorrain. He returned to Italy several times throughout his life and painted many of his most famous works there.

In the 1830s, Corot began to exhibit his work at the Paris Salon and became a member of the French Academy in 1846. He continued to paint and travel throughout his life, producing a large body of work that includes landscapes, portraits, and figure studies.

Corot's landscapes are characterized by their poetic and atmospheric quality, and his use of light and color was influential to the Impressionists. He is also known for his etchings, which he produced throughout his career.

Corot died in Paris on February 22, 1875, and was buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery. His work has continued to be highly regarded, and his influence can be seen in the work of artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Cézanne.