The Piece

Mid-20th-century museum reproduction print.
After Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (1796–1875).
Offset lithograph on paper, framed in wood with gilt liner.
Printed caption and credit to the National Gallery of Art.

Primary Description

This work reproduces Ville d’Avray, a pastoral landscape originally painted by Corot, depicting a reflective body of water bordered by slender trees and low structures in the distance. A small human figure appears near the water’s edge, providing scale and anchoring the composition within a lived environment.

The image emphasizes tonal balance and atmosphere over sharp detail, with softened edges and restrained contrast. The reproduction preserves the compositional calm and spatial clarity of the original painting, translating it into a format intended for study and domestic display rather than exhibition.

About the Artist / Maker

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot was a French landscape painter active in the 19th century, associated with the Barbizon school and early developments toward Impressionism. He worked primarily in France, producing scenes that balanced direct observation with studio refinement.

Corot was known for his consistent return to certain locations, including Ville-d’Avray, where he explored variations in light, reflection, and seasonal atmosphere. His work appears today in major museum collections, including the Louvre, the National Gallery of Art, and other international institutions.

Historical Context

During the mid-20th century, major museums produced reproduction prints of canonical works to support education, accessibility, and visual literacy. These prints were not marketed as substitutes for originals, but as tools for broader engagement with art history.

Corot’s landscapes were frequently selected for reproduction due to their compositional clarity and tonal restraint, which translated well to print. Pieces like this would have been displayed in homes, schools, and offices as references to classical European painting rather than decorative novelties.

Product Details / Materials & Presentation

→ Medium: Offset lithograph on paper
→ Construction: Museum reproduction print after a 19th-century oil painting
→ Markings / captions: Printed plate number and artist credit, “COROT (1796–1875) – VILLE D’AVRAY”; National Gallery of Art credit
→ Frame / hardware: Wood frame with gilt inner liner; glazed

Condition + Updates

Overall condition is good.
The print shows light surface spotting and minor age-related paper toning consistent with mid-20th-century production. The frame exhibits small edge wear and finish variation. No restoration or alterations have been performed.

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This piece suits spaces where visual calm matters more than statement-making. Its muted palette and horizontal composition work well above low furniture, in hallways, studies, or transitional rooms.

Rather than demanding attention, it rewards proximity. The scale, framing, and subject allow it to function as a steady visual presence without dominating its surroundings.

From Viridian Eclection

Viridian Eclection presents objects with respect for what they are and clarity about what they are not. Each piece is selected for material integrity and historical grounding, offered without exaggeration or reinvention.