Les trois arbres en vue du lac

During the period 1865-70, Corot perfected the misty, idyllic pastoral landscapes for which he became revered. Les trois arbres en vue du lac is executed in an almost monochromatic palette, heightened by the fading pink of the setting sun. The depth of the landscape is deftly created by the placement of the two figures at the edge of the lake in the foreground, the majestic trees which define the middle ground and the low hills enveloping the receding lake in the background. The sky is a tour-de-force of the atmospheric effects: using a subtle palette of blues, grays, pinks and touches of white, Corot captures the essence of twilight; the light fades last from the sky as the landscape below recedes into darkness. The shimmering surface of the lake reflects the last rays of light from the skies, softly illuminating the landscape that surrounds it. It is for the ability to capture such effects that Corot was dubbed 'the very poet of the landscape.'

We are grateful to Martin Dieterle and Claire Lebeau for confirming the authenticity of this work.