Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (Paris, 1796 - 1875, Paris)
Noonday, 1850-1875
Oil on canvas, 40.9 x 54 cm (16 1/8 x 21 1/4 in.)
This horizontal, almost square, oil painting shows a pastoral scene at the edge of a river. About two-thirds of the canvas is sky, consisting of puffy white clouds with occasional swatches of pale blue sky. Across the river, to the horizon, is the impression of a settled area with a few tall buildings and billowing smoke. Subtle reflections of these buildings and the clouds are evident in the water. Three cows stand in the water to our left of the painting’s center. Two of the cows are facing to our right, while the third has its back to the viewer. In the foreground, and to our right, are two relatively bare trees with blurred light green leaves. Through the bare branches the clouds are visible. It appears that something dark has been draped over the tree trunks. Three figures appear to our right of the painting’s center. Two of the figures are standing, while the third sits next to a tree trunk.
Blue Room
Commentary
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