Artwork
Interrupted Reading
Interrupted Reading is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Jean Baptiste Camille Corot. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Overview
Interrupted Reading is a late figure painting by Camille Corot, executed in oil on canvas mounted on board. It depicts a woman in a quiet, introspective moment, surrounded by simple studio furnishings.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a woman pausing from reading, lost in thought. The image draws on a popular 19th-century motif, but Corot's interpretation is distinctive in its capture of a fleeting, contemplative state. The model's Italianate costume reflects Corot's affection for Italian culture.
Technique & Style
Corot employed bold, direct brushwork to render the figure as a balanced composition of forms. The handling is broad, yet complemented by attention to detail, such as the model's accessories and clothing. The use of chiaroscuro creates a warm, intimate atmosphere, characteristic of Corot's work.
Context
As one of Corot's late figure paintings, Interrupted Reading was not typically exhibited during his lifetime. Instead, Corot preferred to showcase his landscapes. The painting's private, introspective nature is thus reflective of its intended audience and purpose.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
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The Parisian Sphinx
A Young Woman Reading
Interrupted Reading