Camille Corot, “Paysage d'Italie”, c. 1865–66

Camille Corot (Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot) (1796–1875)

“Paysage d'Italie” (Italian Landscape), c. 1865–66

Contextual Commentary:

This boldly inscribed landscape etching is Corot’s third and final contribution to the Société des Aquafortistes—a society of artists (active 1862–1867) founded in Paris to revive and promote etching as a prestigious fine art form.

The plate features an evolving publication history. Trial proofs of the first state (before lettering) were pulled by Félix Bracquemond. The second state was printed by Auguste Delâtre for the Société des Aquafortistes in October 1866 bearing plate number 246. This impression represents the third and final state of the plate, printed and published by Alfred Cadart (1828–1875) for later anthologies such as L’Eau-forte depuis 10 ans (1872).

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on buff-coloured chine collé on heavy wove paper with wide margins.

This impression represents a crisp, final publication variant of the third state. It features the fully realised text line showing Alfred Cadart as the printer (Imp. A. Cadart, Paris), differentiating it from earlier second-state Delâtre printings and variant third-state printings bearing the Bachelin-Deflorenne library text.

The impression is richly inked and sharply printed with no visible signs of plate wear. Aside from faint traces of uneven toning in the margin from historic mounting, the sheet is in excellent condition—completely free of tears, holes, folds, or abrasions.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 30.0 x 40.5 cm
• Platemark: 15.7 x 23.7 cm
• Chine collé: 15.5 x 23.7 cm
• Image borderline: 14.8 x 23.1 cm

In-Plate Lettering (below the image):

• Left: “Corot sculp.”
• Centre: “PAYSAGE D'ITALIE”
• Right: “Imp. A. Cadart, Paris”

References:

• Melot C7: Michel Melot, “Graphic Art of the Pre-Impressionists”, 1978 (New York, Harry N. Abrams), pp. 258–59, cat. no. C7.
• IFF 7: Jean Adhémar, “Inventaire du Fonds Français après 1800: Cidoine–Daumier”, vol. 5, 1949 (Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes), p. 186, cat. no. 7 — Available via Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Gallica): https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5488526m/f198.image
• British Museum, museum number 1871,0812.723: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1871-0812-723
• Yale University, accession number 1974.4.5: https://artgallery.yale.edu/collections/objects/15915

Price & Shipping:

AU$1886 (approximately US$1326.86 / €1188.34 / £990.71), including worldwide express shipping. Any applicable import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

To enquire about this simply superb impression of this very beautiful and rare etching, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I’ll be happy to send you a PayPal invoice for a straightforward payment.

Please note: The scan contrast has been digitally enhanced to show the print’s details more clearly. As a result, the image tones may not fully reflect the subtle tonal qualities of the original.