Hagar and the Angel (Agar et l'ange)

Hagar and the Angel (Agar et l'ange) is a compelling work created by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot in 1871. This print exemplifies Corot's engagement with the experimental medium of cliché-verre, an innovative photographic printing process developed in the mid-19th century. Unlike traditional etching or lithography, the cliché-verre technique involves drawing or scratching directly onto a glass plate coated with collodion or an opaque varnish. Once the design is fixed, the plate is used like a photographic negative, placed over light-sensitive paper, and exposed to light, resulting in prints with distinct tonal qualities and delicate transitions reminiscent of traditional drawing.

Corot renders the Biblical narrative of Hagar, the Egyptian handmaiden of Sarah who, after being cast out by Abraham, is comforted and guided by an angel in the wilderness. The scene is imbued with the atmospheric softness and lyrical mood characteristic of Corot's late period. Although primarily celebrated for his landscape paintings, Corot frequently utilized historical and mythological subjects, such as in Hagar and the Angel, as vehicles for expressive composition and refined draftsmanship. The choice of the cliché-verre for this subject highlights the French artistic period of 1851 to 1875, a time when artists were actively blurring the lines between graphic arts and photography.

The technical subtlety and compositional balance in this piece demonstrate Corot’s ongoing curiosity regarding printmaking processes. Today, this important work resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering scholars crucial insight into the technical landscape of 19th-century French printmakers. As a significant example of Corot’s later output, prints derived from works such as this often circulate within public domain collections, ensuring accessibility for enthusiasts studying the transition between Romanticism and early modern art.