Corot

Elbert Hubbard

A charming picture of a famous artist—This short biographical sketch on nineteenth-century French landscape painter Camille Corot was written by Elbert Hubbard as part of his endearing series, Little Journeys to the Homes of Eminent Artists (1902). And a wonderful “little journey” it is. Only a few brief pages, but brimming with entertaining anecdote, thoughtful contemplation and rewarding insight. Perhaps most notable is the inclusion of a passionate, personality-filled letter Corot wrote to his friend Graham. An excerpt: “And if it should, I would be sorry, for nothing ever did stand still, except a bad picture. A good picture is full of motion. Clouds that stand still are not clouds—motion, activity, life, yes, life is what we want—life! Bam! A peasant comes out of the cottage and is coming to the meadow. Ding, ding, ding! There comes a flock of sheep led by a bell wether. Wait there a minute, please, sheepy-sheepy, and a great man will paint you. All right then, don’t wait. I didn’t want to paint you anyway.”—This book offers a perfect introduction to those new to the artist and his work, and a pleasant diversion for those already more familiar.

Published by Hol Art Books