Little Shepherd, 1st Plate (Le Petit Berger)

Little Shepherd, 1st Plate (Le Petit Berger) is a significant print created by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot in 1855. This piece utilizes the complex and relatively rare medium of cliché-verre, a fascinating hybrid technique that integrated photography and drawing, which flourished among innovative French artists during the mid-19th century, specifically the period of 1851 to 1875.

The cliché-verre process, championed by Corot and members of the Barbizon School, involves drawing or scratching an image onto a glass plate coated with collodion or an opaque varnish. This plate is then exposed to light onto photographic paper, yielding a unique result that captures the spontaneity of drawing while offering a tonal depth distinct from traditional etching or engraving. Corot, known primarily as a master painter of the landscape, embraced this experimental process to capture the intimate, often solitary, pastoral scenes that define his mature style.

This particular print, depicting a figure—presumably the young shepherd alluded to in the title—within a natural setting, exemplifies Corot’s commitment to capturing atmospheric light and quiet contemplation. The work’s softened edges and rich, subtle shading demonstrate why Corot was attracted to the medium; it allowed him to translate the impressionistic qualities of his oil sketches directly into the reproducible form of prints.

The mid-19th century saw Corot create approximately 66 works in cliché-verre, exploring the medium's capacity for evocative, tonal richness. As one of the early iterations of this recurring subject, Little Shepherd, 1st Plate (Le Petit Berger) highlights the artist's foundational approaches to composition and atmosphere. This important example of French printmaking history resides within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, offering scholars and the public an accessible view of Corot's diverse technical output. Artwork from this prolific French master is often found in the public domain, ensuring wide access to these subtle and beautiful prints.