Reading Beneath the Trees (La Lecture sous les arbres)

Reading Beneath the Trees (La Lecture sous les arbres) by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, executed in 1874, is a notable example of the artist's printmaking practice late in his career. This atmospheric piece, classified as a print, showcases Corot's sensitive handling of light and atmosphere, successfully translating the subtlety usually found in his oil paintings to the monochromatic world of lithography. Created just one year before Corot’s death, the work utilized the medium of a lithograph printed upon yellow paper, adding a warm, sepia tone to the delicate composition. The French artist created this piece during the period spanning 1851 to 1875, reflecting his ongoing commitment to intimate, pastoral subjects even as the art world around him shifted towards Impressionism.

The scene depicts a solitary, contemplative figure seated beneath a dense, shaded canopy, wholly engrossed in reading. Corot often populated his landscapes with pensive, quiet figures, thereby suggesting contemplation and establishing a profound harmony between humanity and nature. Unlike the defined contours of academic traditions, the setting in Reading Beneath the Trees is characterized by soft forms and suggestions of foliage rather than precise botanical detail, elements characteristic of Corot's mature style. While revered primarily for his landscape paintings, Corot produced several significant series of prints, confirming his engagement with various media as viable artistic outlets for his poetic vision.

As a fine example of 19th-century French prints, this lithograph demonstrates the medium’s technical capability in rendering nuanced tonal depth and texture. Corot’s commitment to capturing transient visual effects, even in a reproductive medium, made his output highly influential for subsequent generations of artists. This specific impression is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., representing an important facet of Corot's late period activity. Owing to its age and the date of the creator’s passing, images of this work are often found available through public domain collections, allowing widespread access to Corot’s lasting genius.