Lot Essay
Corot's landscapes from the 1870s are the culmination of a lifetime love and understanding of his natural surroundings. As he wrote in a letter to his friend, the painter La Rochenoire in February 1871: ‘The plight of our country, it seems, has driven me to take cover under the vault of heaven and a roof of leafage, and to hunt out the best places for listening to the concert of the birds.’ (quoted in J. Leymarie, Corot, Geneva, 1985, p. 143). Painted circa 1870, Martin au bord du lac. Un passeur barque et deux paysannes is most likely painted directly from nature. Corot found a welcome reception in Scottish collections, such as the Paisley Art Institute, thanks in part to the prominent Glasgow art dealer Alexander Reid.
We are grateful to Claire Lebeau for confirming the authenticity of this painting. The painting will be sold with a certificate of authenticity.
We are grateful to Claire Lebeau for confirming the authenticity of this painting. The painting will be sold with a certificate of authenticity.