The Hermit's Woods, or the Banks of Lake Trasimène (Le Bois de l'Hermite, ou les Bords du Lac Trasimène)

The Hermit's Woods, or the Banks of Lake Trasimène (Le Bois de l'Hermite, ou les Bords du Lac Trasimène) by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, executed in 1858, is a defining example of the experimental medium known as cliché verre. Technically classified as a photograph, this work is a salted paper print made from a glass plate etched by the artist himself. The cliché verre technique, which saw a brief but potent surge in popularity among French artists in the mid-19th century, allowed Corot to bridge the gap between spontaneous drawing and the mechanical reproducibility inherent in early photography and printmaking.

The image captures a dense, atmospheric landscape, ostensibly inspired by the scenery surrounding Lake Trasimène, although the final composition emphasizes the drama of thick woods and deep shadows. Unlike traditional etching, Corot created the master image by applying an opaque coating to a clear glass plate, then scratching or drawing into the coating with a stylus to allow light to pass through. This plate was then placed directly onto light-sensitive paper and exposed. The resulting salted paper print possesses the characteristic tonal richness and soft focus that typifies Corot’s aesthetic, successfully translating the lyrical quality of his painting style into a graphic medium.

This unique blending of artistic disciplines was typical of the progressive attitudes found in French visual culture during the period of 1851 to 1875. Though Corot is primarily celebrated for his oil paintings, the few dozen cliché verre images he produced are essential to understanding his commitment to light study and atmospheric composition. This rare example of The Hermit's Woods is held within the collection of the National Gallery of Art. As a significant historical work, these detailed prints often become part of public domain efforts, allowing wider access for scholars studying the convergence of photography and traditional artistic practice in the mid-19th century.