Manner of Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (French, 1786-1875), Woman and Cows in a Landscape

Oil on canvas (lined), bears signature "Corot" at lower left, presented in a later gilt composition frame.

Stretcher size 18 1/2 x 22 in.; Frame dimensions 24 x 28 in.

The Barbizon School was a group of mid-19th century French painters who broke away from traditional academic art by focusing on natural landscapes and the everyday life of rural France. Centered around the village of Barbizon near the Forest of Fontainebleau, these artists embraced painting en plein air, or outdoors, to capture the transient effects of light and atmosphere. Their work, characterized by a more spontaneous brushwork and a palette reflecting the natural tones of the countryside, marked a shift towards realism and a deeper emotional connection with nature.
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot emerged as a pivotal figure within this movement, leading by example with his innovative approach to landscape painting. His delicate treatment of light and shadow, along with his ability to convey the poetic essence of the natural world, set a new standard for the representation of rural scenes. Corot's work not only embodied the ideals of the Barbizon School but also influenced a generation of artists who saw in his methods a way to capture both the beauty and the subtle dynamism of nature.
By the 1850s, Corot was highly regarded by fellow artists, dealers and collectors. His reputation as a master landscape painter encouraged a prolific and lucrative cottage industry for forgeries. Despite his relatively prolific output of around 3,000 paintings, less scrupulous dealers and less recognized artists were eager to capitalize on Corot’s fame. The painting offered here is one of the very competent forgeries, likely completed during the artist’s lifetime or shortly after his passing.

Masking varnish visible under UV light; signature has been added.