Passiance, in Saint Avit 1872

Camille Corot made 'Passiance, in Saint Avit' with oil on canvas. This was a standard material combination for landscape painting in the 19th century. The material nature of oil paint allows for rich textures and subtle gradations of tone. Corot fully exploits these qualities. The painting's surface reveals the energetic brushwork and layering of pigments through the materiality of the paint. What is most interesting is the effect this has on the image: the scene dissolves into abstraction. We get a sense of Corot’s direct engagement with the landscape, capturing not just its appearance, but also the act of observing and translating it onto canvas. This process-oriented approach elevates the status of landscape painting, aligning it with contemporary artistic concerns. We see nature as an intellectual as well as a sensual experience. It underscores the importance of materiality and making in understanding the artwork.