Rayons Du Matin 

"Rayons du Matin" was painted by Camille Corot, using oil paints on canvas. Corot mastered the craft of layering thin glazes of paint to capture the subtle effects of light, building luminosity on the canvas. The painting process itself suggests a specific relationship to labor and class. Corot likely worked outdoors, en plein air, observing the landscape directly. This approach, while seemingly romantic, also reflects a connection to the working class. The woman with her cow is part of the scenery. The painting shows an appreciation for the rural way of life, with nature, animals and people coexisting. Corot's painting, while seemingly traditional, blurs the lines between fine art and everyday life. By focusing on the material qualities of paint and the act of painting itself, Corot invites us to consider the social and cultural significance embedded within the artwork, and the relationship between the artist, the subject, and the world around them.