Many of Corot's most beautiful paintings date between 1850 and 1860, the decade when Le Chemin aux Pommiers was executed. It was at this time that he combined his earlier experience of painting light-soaked views of the Italian countryside with the misty, silvery brushwork that would define the souvenirs that crowned the end of his long career. Our painting takes place at early morning, most likely in Normandy. We know it is morning from the gentle, silvery mist that can be seen rising from the ground in the distance. Dawn's light stretches across the orchard, casting giant shadows in its path. The grassy fields are scattered with tiny flowers - their forms recognizable by dots of yellow paint. Corot loved to paint out-of-doors, and we can only imagine him sitting at his easel watching the three peasant women gather apples as the guarded their cows.

This painting will be sold with the original bill of sale from Samuel P. Avery. Martin Dieterle has examined and authenticated this painting and we are grateful to him for his assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.