Pensive Oriental 1873

'Pensive Oriental' was made by Camille Corot using oil paint on canvas. The materiality of oil paint lends itself to Corot's loose brushwork and subtle gradations of color. The rough canvas texture, visible in areas, adds to the painting's immediacy. Corot's technique, with thin layers and scumbles of paint, evokes a sense of atmosphere and light. Consider the sitter's elaborate costume with its carefully painted fabrics, embroidery and beading. These are not merely decorative elements, but also indicators of cultural identity and status, speaking to the social context of the time. The orientalist style was popular among European artists, who often depicted people from non-Western cultures in romanticized or exotic ways. Corot's painting reflects this trend, but also shows a sensitivity to the beauty and dignity of his subject. By focusing on the materials, making, and context of this painting, we can appreciate the full meaning of this artwork.