Reading Beneath the Trees (La Lecture sous les arbres)

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts a group of trees dominating the scene, viewed from a low angle. The horizon is not clearly visible, with faint structures atop a hill in the distance. The sketchy and impressionistic brushstrokes create a textured effect, with sparse lines suggesting leaves for movement. The color palette is monochromatic, featuring blacks and grays on a beige or light cream background, lending a subdued atmosphere. Several tall, slender trees with sparse branches are closest, set against a darker shaded ground, with the landscape sloping upwards beyond.