Wooded Countryside c. 19th century

Editor: This is Camille Corot's "Wooded Countryside," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a delicate etching, and the light seems to dance across the scene. What can you tell me about its place in art history? Curator: Corot’s landscapes, especially his prints, offer a glimpse into the evolving role of nature in 19th-century art. How do you see this print reflecting broader societal attitudes towards the countryside? Editor: It feels idealized, like a retreat from urban life. Curator: Precisely! It’s less a realistic depiction and more a carefully constructed image appealing to bourgeois sensibilities seeking escape and tranquility. Editor: So, it's a kind of visual marketing for a specific lifestyle? Curator: Exactly. The print serves as a portable, affordable piece, reflecting the rising market for landscape art and its connection to social class. Fascinating, isn't it? Editor: It really is; thanks for the insight.