Sappho

The print Sappho was created in 1871 by the renowned French painter Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1796-1875). This work is a delicate example of transfer lithography, executed in a soft reddish-brown ink. The image was carefully printed onto fine cream China paper, which was then laid down onto a larger sheet of white wove paper, a common practice used by printmakers to give the subtle primary support greater stability and scale.

While Corot is primarily celebrated for his atmospheric, luminous landscape paintings, particularly during the mid-19th century, he also explored figural subjects and produced significant graphic works classified as prints. Dating from the later period of his career, this particular piece evokes a classical, melancholic mood, depicting the legendary Greek poetess Sappho, often symbolized as the embodiment of artistic and emotional depth. The contemplative figure is rendered with the softness and tonal nuance characteristic of Corot's draftsmanship, seamlessly translating his delicate touch to the technical demands of the lithographic process.

The utilization of transfer lithography allowed Corot to maintain a fluid, painterly quality in his prints, echoing the intimacy and spontaneity of a preliminary sketch. This work speaks to the enduring influence of classical antiquity on 19th-century art in France, showcasing the artist’s commitment to varied media even as his career approached its end. It represents a key example of the graphic output of the artist, and this significant impression is preserved today within the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.