Willows and White Poplars (Saules et peupliers blancs)

Executed as a lithograph, the image relies on soft, expressive strokes that convey texture and movement. Corot’s handling of line and tone produces a hazy, atmospheric quality, reflecting his interest in capturing fleeting light conditions while maintaining a controlled, classical compositional balance.

Created during a period when Corot was mediating between the disciplined Neo‑Classical tradition and the emerging plein‑air practices of the Impressionists, the print illustrates his transitional approach. It demonstrates his commitment to direct observation of nature, a principle that would soon reshape French landscape painting.

The lithograph was issued shortly after its completion in 1871 and circulated among collectors of Corot’s prints. It has since entered public and private collections, serving as a representative example of the artist’s printmaking output during the later stage of his career.