Souvenir of Tuscany

Souvenir of Tuscany by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot French, 1796-1875, is a compelling example of 19th-century French printmaking, dating from the period 1840-1850. Primarily celebrated as a foundational master of plein air landscape painting, Corot demonstrated significant skill across various graphic arts. This delicate work was executed as an etching on ivory laid paper, showcasing the artist’s ability to translate the expansive atmosphere of the Italian countryside into the precise, linear medium of the print. The technique relies on subtle variations in line weight and density to suggest shadow and texture, essential elements in capturing the soft light for which the region is famous.

The title confirms that the image is a visual memory derived from Corot's formative travels in Italy, a country whose classical light and structure profoundly influenced the French painter’s mature style. While the composition is typical of the idealized landscapes he produced, the etching format allowed Corot to explore compositional studies and tonal contrasts with an intimacy often reserved for preparatory drawings. Corot elevated the status of the print, treating these works not merely as reproductive studies but as independent forms of artistic expression, a characteristic shared among many 19th-century Barbizon artists. This specific impression of Souvenir of Tuscany currently resides within the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, providing insight into the diverse techniques employed by one of France's most important landscape artists.