Houses near Orléans

This painting, Houses near Orléans, was created by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot around 1830. Corot is considered a pivotal figure in landscape painting, bridging the gap between highly structured Neoclassicism and the more expressive art of the Impressionists.

This small, quiet work is a direct study from nature, likely painted outdoors. Corot’s context was a dedication to painting what he truly saw, without adding dramatic storytelling or mythical figures. The composition is simple, focusing on the light, the texture of the old buildings, and the deep, atmospheric sky.

Corot valued tone and light above all else. His simple, honest approach to the landscape, capturing the subtle truth of the light at a specific moment, influenced generations of artists who would later be called Impressionists.