Macbeth, paysage 1858 - 1859

Camille Corot, with his evocative brush, painted this landscape infused with Shakespearean drama, filled with symbols as old as time. The three witches, cloaked in mystery, point towards Macbeth on horseback, their gesture resonating with prophecies and dark omens. The motif of three figures weaving fate goes back to the ancient Greek Fates, the Moirai, who spun the thread of life, measured its length, and cut it at the end. We find echoes of this across cultures, where trios of goddesses or mythical figures dictate destiny. Consider how the pointing finger, here wielded by the witches, appears throughout art history – from John the Baptist indicating Christ, to allegorical figures directing our gaze. It is a call, a command, and a symbol of power. This landscape taps into our collective unconscious, stirring primal fears and fascinations with the unknown, the non-linear progression of symbols, constantly resurfacing, evolving, and acquiring new meanings in different historical contexts.