Artwork

A Young Mother at the Entrance of a Wood

A Young Mother at the Entrance of a Wood, by Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, 1856
A Young Mother at the Entrance of a Wood, by Jean Baptiste Camille Corot, 1856

A Young Mother at the Entrance of a Wood is a print by Jean Baptiste Camille Corot. It dates from 1856 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1856, this print by Jean‑Baptiste‑Camille Corot portrays a young mother standing at the threshold of a forest, cradling a child.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1856, this print by Jean‑Baptiste‑Camille Corot portrays a young mother standing at the threshold of a forest, cradling a child. The composition places the figures in the foreground against a backdrop of tall, slender trees that recede into a pale sky, conveying a calm, contemplative atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The work focuses on an intimate domestic scene set within nature, emphasizing the bond between mother and child while situating them within a tranquil woodland. The quiet interaction suggests themes of protection and the gentle integration of human life with the natural environment.

Technique & Style

Corot employs a subtle chiaroscuro, balancing light and shadow to model the figures and foliage, thereby giving volume to the forms. His handling of tone and delicate line reflects his transition from academic composition toward a more observational, plein‑air approach characteristic of his later landscapes.

History & Provenance

The print is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. It remains an example of Corot’s mid‑career output, produced during a period when he was consolidating his reputation as a bridge between classical landscape conventions and emerging naturalistic practices.

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: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.