The Goatherds of Castel Gandolfo 1866

Camille Corot made this oil on canvas, The Goatherds of Castel Gandolfo, in the mid-19th century. It depicts an idealized landscape with goatherds in a scene of pastoral tranquility. Corot was working during a time of great social change in France. The Industrial Revolution was transforming the country, and many artists were turning away from the academic tradition of history painting in favour of more realistic and modern subjects. This work fits into the Barbizon School approach, which favoured direct observation of nature. Although, as you can see, Corot was careful to include historical elements in his paintings such as these goatherds. He took inspiration from classical mythology, a popular theme in academic art of the time. To understand the social history of a painting like this, it's helpful to explore exhibition records, art criticism, and other writings. It's through this type of research that we can gain a deeper appreciation of how the work relates to broader cultural trends.