Souvenir of Italy

Souvenir of Italy is an evocative etching created by the renowned French artist Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1796-1875) in 1862. This print, executed on cream laid paper, is an exquisite example of Corot's serious exploration of the etching medium, a field he devoted significant effort to after 1860. The intaglio process, which utilizes acid to bite lines into a copper plate, allowed Corot to translate the subtle atmospheric light and tonal variation of his oil paintings into the graphic medium. The delicate cross-hatching and control achieved in this piece lend the scene the characteristic poetic softness that defines his mature style.

Though created decades after his initial, pivotal travels to Italy in the 1820s, the work embodies the enduring memory of the soft, idealized light and classical scenery that captivated the artist throughout his life. As a key figure in 19th-century French landscape traditions, Corot’s commitment to printmaking broadened the accessibility of his artistic vision. Many academic artists of the era used Souvenir of Italy and similar prints to widely disseminate their most successful motifs, appealing to a growing collector base.

This impression is classified as a print and currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to its historical significance in France, reproductions of these early etchings often fall into the public domain, allowing contemporary audiences worldwide to access Corot’s influential and delicate treatment of the landscape.