Unknown_Corot-2012

1848–50

After the Salon jury is reformed, is repeatedly elected by his colleagues and begins to exhibit more paintings each year. The State purchases a number of these works, including Le Bain du Berger (Musée de la Chartreuse, Douai) and Le Christ au Jardin des Oliviers (Musée de Langres).

1851

Death of his mother. Begins to intensify his traveling and to regularly visit Dutilleux in Arras.

1852

At the home of Dutilleux, meets Alfred Robaut ( 1819 – 1909 ), Dutilleux’s future son-in-law and the future author of his catalogue raisonné. Befriends the painter Charles-François Daubigny ( 1817 – 1878 ). Begins to experiment with cliché-verre with the Arras photographers Louis Grandguillaume and Adalbert Cuvelier ( 1812 – 1871 ), the inventors of the technique. Designs more than 60 plates over the course of the next twenty years.

1853

1854

Travels to Belgium and the Netherlands with Dutilleux.

1855

Exhibits six paintings at the Exposition Universelle and receives a first class medal. Emperor Napoleon III purchases Souvenir de Marcoussis (Musée d’Orsay, Paris).

1857

Exhibits an extensively reworked version of his Salon painting of 1844 , Le Destruction de Sodome , under its orginal title, l’Incendie de Sodome, at the Salon.

1858

Places fifty-eight paintings at auction through the appraiser Thirault. Travels include trips to Normandy and Troyes.

1859

Sends a number of ambitious compositions showing figures in the landscape to the Salon. His work is increasingly sought by collectors and dealers and admired by a new generation of open-air painters, many of whom he mentors.

1862

Travels to London for the World’s Fair. Meets Gustave Courbet ( 1819 – 1877 ). Berthe Morisot becomes a student.

1864

Serves as a member of the jury at the Salon. Napoléon III purchases Souvenir de Mortefontaine (Musée du Louvre, Paris).

1865

Stays in Auvers-sur-Oise, Mantes, Fontainebleau, and Normandy. Death of Dutilleux.

1866

Napoleon III purchases Solitude (Private Collection) for his private collection. Paintings by Corot are exhibited in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.