Wounded Eurydice

The oil on canvas painting, Wounded Eurydice, was completed by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot between 1868 and 1870. This 19th century work from France reflects the artist's enduring commitment to classical themes, even during a period when Realism and Impressionism were challenging established artistic conventions. Corot executed the piece relatively late in his career, bridging his signature lyrical landscapes with formal mythological compositions. The scale and somber palette of the work immediately underscore the gravity of the subject matter.

The painting depicts the critical moment from the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice: Eurydice is shown immediately after receiving the fatal snake bite. Corot eschews the sharp clarity of academic painting, rendering the figure and the surrounding wooded landscape with his characteristic softness and atmospheric sfumato-like quality. He employs a rich, yet muted, palette dominated by deep greens, browns, and slate gray-blues, emphasizing the ominous, tragic nature of the impending death. This sophisticated blend of narrative focus and evocative landscape demonstrates Corot’s mastery and his influence on French painting, particularly among artists interested in mood and light during the mid-19th century.

Wounded Eurydice is a significant example of Corot's later output and his reliance on mythological narratives to explore the relationships between figures and their natural environments. The canvas is preserved in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it serves as a key representation of French classical landscape traditions. Due to its importance and historical context, this masterwork, like many foundational pieces from the 19th century, is often shared through public domain initiatives, allowing art enthusiasts and scholars globally to study and access high-quality prints.