A Family at Terracina

A Family at Terracina is a significant print created by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot in 1871, a work that exemplifies the artist’s mastery of tonality in the graphic arts. This piece is executed as a transfer lithograph, utilizing brown ink applied to delicate cream China paper, which was subsequently laid down onto a supporting sheet of white wove paper. The technical process was overseen by the esteemed French printing house, Lemercier et Compagnie.

Corot, a pivotal figure in the 19th-century French art world, was known primarily for his lyrical, atmospheric landscape paintings, but his contributions to prints and drawings are equally vital. He often sought subjects of rustic simplicity and classical resonance, drawing inspiration from his travels in Italy. Terracina, a coastal town south of Rome, provided the backdrop for idealized genre scenes such as this, showcasing a group gathered peacefully beneath the shade of trees.

The transfer lithograph technique allowed Corot to achieve the delicate modulations of light and shadow characteristic of his later drawings, creating soft, nuanced forms rather than sharp linear definition. This approach reveals his dedication to exploring painterly qualities within the medium of prints. As a fine example of 19th-century French printmaking, A Family at Terracina captures a tranquil moment characteristic of Corot’s oeuvre. This historic work is classified as a print and is permanently preserved in the comprehensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a valuable reference for the study of the transition of French art during this period. Due to its age, this artistic resource is available through various public domain initiatives.