Group of Trees

Group of Trees by Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, created in 1858, is a significant example of the artist’s innovative exploration of the specialized photographic-printmaking process known as cliché-verre. Originating in France during the mid-nineteenth century, this technique allowed artists to combine the fluid drawing qualities of etching with the precise light sensitivity of photography.

Unlike traditional acid etching, where lines are bitten into a metal plate, the cliché-verre process involves coating a glass plate with an opaque ground, then drawing directly onto the surface using a stylus to expose the glass beneath. The plate is subsequently used as a large-format photographic negative, printed onto light-sensitive paper. Corot frequently utilized this medium to capture the delicate effects of light filtering through foliage and branches. This particular piece, showcasing a dense grouping of trees, highlights Corot’s ability to achieve varied tonal depth and atmospheric mood through simple linear drawing and broad, etched areas.

A pivotal figure in French landscape art, Corot produced numerous innovative prints and graphic works in addition to his well-known oil paintings. Works like Group of Trees demonstrate his dedication to the direct observation of nature, influencing subsequent generations of artists in France and beyond. This evocative print is maintained in the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, preserving an important example of nineteenth-century graphic arts. As these historical prints are increasingly digitized, many high-resolution images are entering the public domain, allowing global appreciation for Corot’s unique aesthetic output.