Artwork

Saltarello (Saltarelle)

Saltarello (Saltarelle), by Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, 1858
Saltarello (Saltarelle), by Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, 1858

Saltarello (Saltarelle) is a print by the Impressionist artist Jean Baptiste Camille Corot. It dates from 1858 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Saltarello (Saltarelle), created by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot in 1858, is a cliché-verre print that exemplifies the artist's experimentation with printmaking techniques alongside his established practice in painting.

Subject & Meaning

The print captures a moment of unbridled joy, depicting a woman lost in dance within a lush, natural setting. Her dynamic pose, with arms raised and skirt swirling, conveys spontaneity and carefree abandon, set against a backdrop of depth and atmospheric foliage.

Technique & Style

Utilizing the cliché-verre process, Corot achieved a nuanced interplay of light and shadow, enhancing the textured, outdoor ambiance. This technique, combining drawing on glass with printmaking, allowed for expressive lines and tonal variations that emphasize the subject's energy and the natural surroundings.

History & Provenance

Created in 1858, Saltarello reflects Corot's mid-career engagement with innovative printmaking methods, solidifying his pivotal role in 19th-century French art's transition between traditional and modern practices.

Context

Within the broader context of 19th-century French art, Saltarello bridges the gap between the Neo-Classical emphasis on form and the emerging plein-air movement's focus on capturing light and outdoor settings, reflecting Corot's unique artistic trajectory.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jean Baptiste Camille Corot

Artist

Jean Baptiste Camille Corot

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (UK: KORR-oh, US: kə-ROH, kor-OH; French: ; 16 July 1796 – 22 February 1875), or simply Camille Corot, was a French landscape and portrait painter as well as a printmaker in etching.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.