Courtyard of a bakery near Paris (Courtyard of a House near Paris) 1865

Camille Corot made this painting of a bakery courtyard near Paris with oil on canvas. During the 19th century, the rise of industrialization dramatically reshaped French society, creating a stark divide between urban centers and rural life. Corot, like many artists of his time, was deeply interested in the social implications of these changes. This painting offers a glimpse into the daily life of a rural bakery, a scene far removed from the bustling streets of Paris. We can ask: how does Corot’s work reflect a longing for a simpler, pre-industrial past? And what does it say about the changing relationship between urban and rural communities in 19th-century France? These are the kinds of questions we might ask, using historical sources and critical analysis to understand how art reflects and shapes our understanding of the world.