Camille Corot

P. 159 x 235 mm; S. 340 x 527 mm

Paysage d'Italie Robaut 3129, Delteil 7, Melot 7 etching, 1866, on medium-heavy ivory laid paper with the Aquafortistes watermark, the rare 1st state (of 4)*, a very fine and rich impression before letters, with full margins, before the first edition of the Société des Aquafortistes in 1866, in excellent condition

Provenance: the Henri M. Petiet collection, with the HMP wetstamp on the reverse (not cited in Lugt)

This masterful etching contains all of Corot's artistic predilections, including the dark foreground with a sombre copse of trees that serves to frame the city afar, all set against a dusky sky.

This masterful etching contains all of Corot's artistic predilections, including the dark foreground enlivened by minuscule figures, with a sombre copse of trees that serves to frame the city afar, all set against a vibrant sky.

It is not known why Corot renounced his participation in the Société des Aquafortistes, and this, his last contribution, although less dramatic, is thus especially poignant.

* According to Melot, there were only "a few proofs" quelques épreuves") pulled of this first state.