Beneath the Trees

Beneath the Trees by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot French, 1796-1875, is a significant example of the artist’s prolific late graphic output, executed in 1871. Classified as a print, this complex work was created using the technique of transfer lithography, printed in a rich black ink. The image was rendered on a delicate sheet of tan China paper, a substrate prized for its fine surface, which was subsequently laid down onto a supportive sheet of white wove paper. Crucially, the finished print was retouched by hand, indicating that Corot or his workshop made personalized modifications to refine the tonal and textural details of the final composition.

Corot, an acknowledged master of 19th-century French landscape art, applied his signature atmospheric sensitivity to this graphic medium. Executed toward the end of his life, this piece reflects the sustained influence of the Barbizon school and the French tradition of idealized yet observed nature. Unlike his celebrated oil canvases, this print focuses entirely on value and line, utilizing the inherent drama of monochrome to evoke a dense, sylvan setting.

The production of such prints demonstrates the period’s growing interest in reproducible art forms, helping to disseminate Corot’s iconic style across France and the continent. The accessibility offered by lithography meant that detailed and repeatable images could reach a broader audience than unique paintings. This powerful example of Corot’s graphic skill is held within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, serving as a vital document of the artist’s sustained experimentation across different media. As a historical work of this age, this print frequently falls under public domain classifications, increasing its availability for global study.