Little Sister

Little Sister, created by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot French, 1796-1875 in 1854, is a defining example of the experimental printmaking techniques utilized during the mid-19th century in France. Rather than relying on traditional etching or lithography, Corot employed the novel medium of cliché-verre applied to ivory photographic paper. This innovative hybrid technique allowed artists to combine the spontaneity and lyricism of drawing with the reproducibility inherent in photography.

To create a cliché-verre, the artist would scratch or draw directly onto a piece of glass coated with an opaque emulsion, functioning essentially as a negative. This prepared plate was then placed over light-sensitive paper and exposed, transferring the image. This complex, transitional process results in distinctive prints characterized by soft tonal shifts and a delicate, atmospheric quality, differentiating them substantially from conventional etchings or engravings of the period. Corot (1796-1875) was deeply engaged with this new process throughout the 1850s and 1860s, producing dozens of these unique photogenic drawings that explore both intimate figure studies, like the implied subject of Little Sister, and landscapes.

The subtle illumination and gentle handling evident in this piece reveal the artist’s commitment to capturing light and atmosphere, connecting the work to the sensibilities of the Barbizon School, albeit through a technical lens that anticipated modern photographic art. As a significant print from this period in French visual culture, this work provides crucial insight into Corot’s versatility and his enthusiasm for innovation. This example of cliché-verre is preserved in the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.