The Mill of Cuincy, near Douai (Le Moulin de Cuincy, pres Douai)

The Mill of Cuincy, near Douai (Le Moulin de Cuincy, pres Douai) by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, executed in 1871, is a distinguished example of the artist’s work in printmaking. Classified specifically as a lithograph, this piece reveals Corot’s proficiency in translating the soft, atmospheric qualities of his celebrated oil paintings into a monochrome medium. The technique of lithography allowed Corot to achieve a unique range of tonal subtlety and textural depth, effectively capturing the diffused light and quiet mood characteristic of his later landscapes.

Created during the period 1851 to 1875, this work aligns with Corot’s mature career, during which he firmly established his place as a pioneer of the French Romantic-Realist tradition. Although known globally for his poetic depictions of the Roman Campagna and the open countryside, this specific print focuses on a familiar, humble scene: a rustic mill structure nestled within a quiet pastoral environment near Douai. This choice of subject reflects Corot’s lifelong commitment to finding beauty in the unassuming landscapes of the French provinces.

While Corot’s oeuvre is dominated by canvases, his contribution to prints, though relatively small in number, is highly valued. Corot produced these significant graphic works late in his life, often experimenting with techniques that enhanced the expressive potential of black and white. The Mill of Cuincy not only functions as an intimate historical snapshot of a French locale in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War, but also stands as a testament to the artist’s versatile skill outside the realm of oil painting. This important example of French graphic art is preserved in the renowned collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., where it contributes to the study of nineteenth-century European prints and drawings.