Landscape of Royat, study of trees 1839

Camille Corot, known for his contributions to the Barbizon School, created this study of trees in Royat using graphite on paper. Corot, working in 19th-century France, at a time of immense social change, was a privileged member of the bourgeoisie, affording him the liberty to explore and depict the natural world. “I never hurry to reach details,” he once said. “First of all I am interested in the large masses and the general character of a picture.” The image invites us to consider the relationship between nature, representation, and personal experience. It's easy to get lost in the nuances of light and shadow within the drawing, which offers not just a visual study but an intimate, almost tactile, encounter with the landscape. The drawing does not engage in the grand narratives often found in academic painting, but instead focuses on the personal, quiet observation of nature. Corot’s drawing encourages a closer look at the world around us, underscoring the importance of nature as a source of contemplation.