Rocks in the Forest of Fontainebleau 1860 - 1865

Camille Corot painted Rocks in the Forest of Fontainebleau with oils on canvas. It appears to be a traditional landscape, but it's also a clear expression of Corot's method. Note how the paint has been applied. The tones are blended, but with a constant sense of the hand at work. This attention to the making process reflected a shift in the art world. Where once paintings were smooth and polished, with no trace of how they were made, now we see the artist's labor directly. Corot's loose brushwork and direct engagement with the landscape anticipates later movements like Impressionism. By emphasizing the materiality of the paint and the process of its application, Corot elevates what was once considered mere technique, to become the very subject of the work. This invites us to consider not just what is depicted, but also how it was made, and what that making signifies.