The Woods of the Hermit (Le Bois de l'ermite) 1858

Camille Corot made this etching, The Woods of the Hermit, using a copper plate and etching needle. The incised lines hold ink which is then transferred to paper under pressure. Look closely, and you can see how the character of the line varies from thick to thin, straight to curved. The artist had complete control over this process, unlike other printmaking techniques that rely more on chemical or mechanical means. The image is built up from a dense network of marks. See how the directional hatching creates a sense of depth, and models the forms of the trees and landscape. The tonal range is subtle, almost monochromatic, giving a sense of quietude. It’s important to remember that while this image depicts a scene of natural simplicity, it was actually made through a complex industrial process. Etchings like this allowed artists to circulate their imagery widely, and participate in the burgeoning art market of the 19th century. So, while the subject matter is pastoral, the means of production are thoroughly modern.