Vallée Solitaire 1870 - 1874

Camille Corot's Vallée Solitaire uses the traditional tools of painting – canvas, oil paints, and brushes – to create a landscape that feels both observed and imagined. Corot’s application of paint in Vallée Solitaire is particularly striking; he skillfully builds up layers to create a sense of depth and atmosphere. Look closely, and you'll see the brushstrokes, each one contributing to the texture and light. Corot deliberately leaves traces of the making process visible, which was part of a broader interest at the time in the value of labor and individual expression. The materiality of paint is crucial here, with its capacity to evoke not just visual, but also tactile sensations. This artwork is significant, because it prompts us to consider how Corot's engagement with his materials and techniques reflects broader cultural values of the time. It asks us to rethink the traditional art hierarchy by valuing the labor and skill involved in the making process.