The Rider in the Woods, large plate

The Rider in the Woods, large plate by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (French, 1796-1875), created during the decade spanning 1849 to 1859, stands as a significant example of 19th-century innovation in printmaking. This evocative image was produced using the specialized technique of cliché-verre on ivory photographic paper. The process involves drawing directly onto a glass plate coated with an opaque material, scratching away lines to allow light to penetrate, and then using this prepared glass as a negative to print the resulting image.

This hybrid method, bridging the spontaneity of drawing with the reproducibility of early photography, was championed by artists in France, particularly those associated with the Barbizon School, who sought direct, atmospheric interpretations of nature. The subject matter, a lone rider traversing a densely wooded environment, is characteristic of Corot’s landscape studies, emphasizing the depth of shadow and the dramatic interplay of light achieved through the cliché-verre medium. The textural qualities of the print mimic the look of an etching while simultaneously demonstrating the inherent tonal range unique to photographic prints.

As a print, this work exemplifies the experimentation prevalent during the mid-19th century in France. While this original piece resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, the enduring nature of prints means that The Rider in the Woods, large plate remains a deeply studied and accessible component of Corot’s artistic legacy today.