The Bell Tower of St. Nicolas-lez-Arras

The Bell Tower of St. Nicolas-lez-Arras by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (French, 1796-1875), created in 1871, provides a refined study of architectural structure through the medium of the transfer lithograph. Though Corot is internationally celebrated for his oil paintings and pastoral scenes, his works in printmaking constitute an important, highly sensitive segment of his output in the final years of his life.

This particular print utilizes the demanding process of transfer lithography, where the artist draws the image onto specially prepared paper before it is transferred to the lithographic stone. The fragile nature of the materials—tan China paper laid down on a sturdier white wove paper—enhances the subtle atmospheric qualities the artist sought. The technique allows Corot to render the stone structure with remarkable softness, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow rather than harsh lines, a characteristic that bridges his earlier detailed work with the emergent tonalism of late 19th-century art in France.

Produced the year of the Paris Commune, this work captures a peaceful sense of permanence, focusing on a historic structure near Arras. Corot’s handling of the subject demonstrates why his prints are valued: they exhibit the same dedication to capturing nuanced outdoor light that defined his major canvases. This impression, maintained in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, provides scholars and enthusiasts access to an intimate side of the artist’s practice. As with many works by this prolific French master, high-resolution images of his prints are often available through public domain initiatives, ensuring the continued study of Corot’s enduring legacy.