The Gust of Wind (Le Coup de vent)

The Gust of Wind (Le Coup de vent), created by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot in 1871, is a significant example of French graphic arts from the pivotal period of 1851 to 1875. Classified as a print, the work utilizes the lithographic technique, allowing Corot to explore atmospheric subtleties and tonal variations inherent in the medium. This process facilitated wider dissemination of the artist’s characteristic landscape studies than his primary output in oil painting allowed.

Corot, though principally known as a key figure bridging the transition between Neoclassicism and early Impressionism, dedicated significant attention to drawing and printmaking later in his career. The scene depicted captures a dramatic moment of meteorological force, implied by the title. Unlike some of his softer, misty souvenirs, this composition centers on the energetic movement of nature, likely portraying windswept trees or distant figures battling the elements. Produced during a challenging time in French history, 1871 saw the nation grappling with the immediate aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War, yet Corot continued to produce refined studies focusing on the eternal and enduring power of the natural world.

This piece demonstrates Corot's mastery in capturing ephemeral light and deep shadow using the demanding process of lithography. He achieves a remarkable depth of field through meticulous shading and contrast, utilizing the velvety blacks and grays characteristic of the stone-based printing process. This significant work forms part of the expansive collection of prints housed at the National Gallery of Art (NGA), Washington D.C., where it contributes to the comprehensive understanding of late 19th-century French landscape art. As masterworks like this become available to scholars and the public through institutional stewardship, high-resolution reproductions of these valuable prints are often designated as public domain resources, ensuring their ongoing study and appreciation worldwide.