Artwork
Italian Woman (La Morieri)
Italian Woman (La Morieri) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Jean Baptiste Camille Corot. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right: COROT
About this work
History & Provenance
It subsequently entered the collection of Armand-François-Paul des Frisches, comte Doria, at his château d'Orrouy.
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot painted Italian Woman (La Morieri) in 1872. The painting's earliest recorded owner was the dealer Hector Brame, who acquired it from the artist around 1874. It subsequently entered the collection of Armand-François-Paul des Frisches, comte Doria, at his château d'Orrouy.
After Doria's death, it was sold at auction in Paris in 1899. The next owner, Charles Guasco, sold it the following year, and it was purchased by Mme Robert Esnault-Pelterie. The painting remained in her family, with her son Robert Esnault-Pelterie holding it until at least 1954.
In that year, the work was sold through a consortium including Galerie Nathan and Sam Salz to the Avalon Foundation, which then gave it to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
The painting is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., having entered the museum in 1954 through the Avalon Foundation. Its exhibition history includes the show "Corot. The Painter and his Models." No accession number is recorded in the provided sources.
Overview
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot's Italian Woman (La Morieri) is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies the artist's frequent portrayal of solitary figures. This work presents a young woman with a direct gaze, characteristic of Corot's approach to portraiture. The composition highlights her presence through subtle brushwork and a balanced arrangement, drawing the viewer's attention to her quiet demeanor and the artist's distinctive style.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a young Italian woman, simply attired in a white blouse, dark skirt, and a scarf covering her hair. Though seated sideways, she turns her head to meet the viewer's gaze directly. This pose establishes an intimate connection, inviting contemplation of her composed and unassuming presence, a common theme in Corot's studies of individual figures.
Technique & Style
Corot utilized oil on canvas, employing a soft yet sufficiently detailed brushwork to imbue the figure with a sense of realism. The background is deliberately kept simple, ensuring that the viewer's attention remains focused on the woman. A key element of the work is the artist's adept handling of light and shadow, which sculpts the figure and contributes to the overall depth of the composition.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (UK: KORR-oh, US: kə-ROH, kor-OH; French:; 16 July 1796 – 22 February 1875), or simply Camille Corot, was a French landscape and portrait painter as well as a printmaker in etching.
