Judith 1874

Camille Corot made this painting, Judith, using oil paints, a material he mastered over the course of his long career. Corot was committed to direct observation of the landscape, but in this biblical scene, we see him using his skills as a painter to other ends. Look at how he deploys a limited range of tones to suggest both the figure of Judith herself, and the landscape she inhabits. The rough, scrubby texture of the paint suggests the labor involved in its making. The romantic style that he employed gives us a glimpse into his own historical context, and the ways in which the old masters were being reconsidered by artists in the 19th century. Paying attention to the materials, making, and context of a painting like this allows us to move beyond just an appreciation of its beauty, and towards a deeper understanding of its meaning.