Lake in the Tyrol

"Lake in the Tyrol" is an important print created by the renowned French artist Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot in 1863. This delicate piece is an etching, executed in striking red ink on white wove paper. Although primarily celebrated for his atmospheric oil paintings and his crucial transitional role between the Romantic and Impressionist movements, Corot frequently engaged with printmaking throughout his career. This specific impression was meticulously printed by François Houiste and published by Le Monde des Arts, signifying its creation for a wider audience in France.

While the title suggests the majestic mountainous landscapes of the Tyrol region, the work exemplifies Corot’s signature lyrical approach to nature, focusing less on precise topographical detail and more on conveying ephemeral, atmospheric effects. The dense network of etched lines builds up subtle gradations of shadow, particularly in the foreground trees which frame the distant expanse of the lake.

As a prolific creator of prints, Corot allowed the public access to his compositional style, ensuring that even today, many of his works, including impressions of the etching Lake in the Tyrol, are accessible through the public domain. This 1863 work sits within Corot's later period, demonstrating his lasting dedication to the subtle rendering of light and shadow achieved through the complex line work inherent to the etching process. This valuable piece is part of the distinguished permanent collection of prints and drawings at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as an important record of nineteenth-century French landscape art.