Unknown_Corot-2012

13 . Seated Camaldolese Monk , 1834

Graphite on paper 12 ¾ x 10 ½ inches ( 32 . 5 x 26 . 5 cm) Inscribed upper left: trésorier des Camaldules, près Florence (“treasurer of the Camaldolese, near Florence”) This finely observed, precisely rendered study of a seated monk in profile is characteristic of Corot’s best portrait drawings of the 1830 s, and most probably dates from Corot’s second trip to Italy. This was a relatively short, six-month trip which included Corot’s only visit to Tuscany and Florence. Corot focused on picturesque sites, views and figures that would serve him in composing Salon paintings. The sitter’s white habit, leather belt, as opposed to a cord, and long beard confirm the inscription which identifies him as a member of the Camaldolese offshoot of the Benedictines. An ascetic order founded by San Romualdo in 1046 , the name derives from their 11 th century hermitage in the Camaldoli mountains, located in the Casentino valley in Tuscany. The siting of the hilltop monastery and the magnificent views surrounding it would have been attractive to Corot, who may have spent the night there, as the hermitage offered free lodging to male visitors during this period. Throughout his career Corot depicted monks in various habits and engaged in absorbing activities, such as reading or playing the cello. The earliest is a painting that dates from Corot’s first trip to Italy ( Italian Monk Reading , Robaut I, no. 105 , Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo). One of Corot’s sketchbooks from his 1834 trip includes numerous drawings of monks (Musée du Louvre, Paris, from Carnet 37 : RF 8714 , 24 ; 8714 , 42 ; 8714 , 44 ; 8714 , 25 ).

The drawing provides an exquisitely detailed record of the monk’s face in particular, along with his habit, hairline and beard. It is closely related to Corot’s Salon painting of 1840 , A Monk (Musée du

A Monk , 1839–40 , Musée du Louvre, Paris

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