Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1796-1875) Ville d’Avray Gift of Count Cecil Pecci-Blunt

With clean, luminous colors Corot has shown a serene view near his summer home, at Ville d’Avray. His father had bought a house in this small village a few miles west of Paris, and Corot often returned to it throughout his long life. Painted when he was in his seventies, this picture seems to epitomize the development of Corot’s style. The simple buff and terra-cotta planes, which emphasize the cubic construction of the distant buildings, recall his early works, especially those painted in Italy between 1825 and 1828. After 1850 he evolved his most popular style, with its predominant silver-gray hues. Gentle, diffuse outdoor light gives harmony in these pictures to misty greens and watery blues, and the trees take on a feathery softness. A few touches of reddish hue complement the cool colors. All of these qualities are apparent in this late picture.

Corot conceived his paintings broadly in form and value. “I am never in a hurry to determine details,” he said; “the masses and general character of a picture concern me above all.” He also sought to preserve his emotions about nature: “What we feel is indeed real. Before a subject, we are moved by a certain elegant grace. Never lose sight of that in looking for exactness and detail.” The mood he suggests is a romantic reverie upon the subtle colors and serenity of nature.

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Canvas. 19⅜ × 25⅝ inches Painted c. 1867-1870

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