Artwork
Toussaint Lemaistre (1807/8–1888)
Toussaint Lemaistre (1807/8–1888) is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Jean Baptiste Camille Corot. It dates from 1833 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot painted Toussaint Lemaistre in 1833, an oil-on-canvas portrait of the individual for whom it is named.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Both contemporary cataloguing and the Wikidata entry describe the image as depicting a man, confirming its function as a portrait.
The work titled Toussaint Lemaistre (1807/8–1888) is recorded as a portrait painted by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot in 1833. Both contemporary cataloguing and the Wikidata entry describe the image as depicting a man, confirming its function as a portrait. No additional iconographic attributes or symbolic elements are noted in the sources, and the sitter’s identity remains identified only by the title rather than by documented attributes. The painting thus situates within Corot’s broader oeuvre, exemplifying the period’s emphasis on naturalistic portraiture.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting executed on canvas, measuring roughly 38.4 × 29.5 cm, produced in 1833. It belongs to Corot’s portrait genre and was originally held by Galerie Georges Petit before passing to collectors such as Albert Henraux and Joan Whitney Payson, eventually entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Corot’s technique combines a smooth, almost imperceptible brushwork with a restrained tonal palette, allowing the sitter’s presence to emerge through subtle gradations of light and shadow rather than detailed rendering.
The painting’s condition appears stable, with the canvas support intact and the oil medium retaining its original luminosity, reflecting the artist’s careful handling of thin glazes.
History & Provenance
Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot executed this oil-on-canvas portrait of Toussaint Lemaistre in 1833. The work's ownership history includes tenure at the Galerie Georges Petit before entering the collection of Albert Henraux. Subsequently, the painting was acquired by Joan Whitney Payson.
It currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The piece was included in the exhibition 'Corot 1796-1875,' marking a point in its public display history. Physical records indicate the canvas measures 38.4 cm in height and 29.5 cm in width.
The work is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, with accession number 1975.1.205. It entered the museum in 1975 as a gift of Joan Whitney Payson. The painting was previously in the collection of Galerie Georges Petit and owned by Albert Henraux before being acquired by Payson. Its exhibition history includes inclusion in the 1965 traveling retrospective 'Corot 1796–1875'.
Context
Toussaint Lemaistre, painted by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot in 1833, stands as a significant example of the artist's portraiture during the early 1830s. Executed in oil on canvas, the work depicts a male sitter and reflects Corot's engagement with the genre beyond his renowned landscapes. The painting's provenance traces through notable collectors, including Galerie Georges Petit and Joan Whitney Payson, before entering the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Its inclusion in the exhibition "Corot 1796-1875" underscores its recognized status within the canon of Corot's oeuvre. While specific critical reception from the 19th century is not detailed in the available records, the work's preservation in a major museum and its exhibition history affirm its enduring importance in art historical scholarship regarding Corot's portraiture.
Legacy
The painting Toussaint Lemaistre, executed by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot in 1833, is recognized as a notable example of 19th‑century portraiture. Its inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection and participation in the exhibition Corot 1796‑1875 have contributed to sustained scholarly attention and public visibility. Ownership by Galerie Georges Petit, Albert Henraux and later donor Joan Whitney Payson reflects a trajectory of acquisition by prominent dealers and collectors, underscoring the work’s reputational growth after its creation.
The painting’s enduring presence in museum displays and catalogues illustrates its lasting impact on the study of Corot’s portrait oeuvre.
Overview
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot painted Toussaint Lemaistre in 1833, an oil-on-canvas portrait of the individual for whom it is named. This work exemplifies French Romanticism and is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Corot, a French artist, was recognized for his contributions to both landscape and portraiture, often blending established artistic traditions with emerging outdoor painting techniques.
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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.
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