A Thriving Artist Til the End

After the death of his dear friend Dutilleux in 1865, Camille Corot continued to visit Arras and Douai, spending time with the family whom had become his most cherished companions. In 1872, he also continued his trips around France, including Rouen, Yport, Bordeaux, the department of Les Landes, and Coubron. The latter was where he decided to set up a studio in the country the following year, so he might continue to paint in his most favorite surroundings of the lush rural countryside.

Sin near Douai, Village Street in the Morning, 1872

Camille Corot died in February 1875 at Ville-d’Avray, at the age of 79. On January 29, in bed with his health ever declining, he turned to his spiritual son, Alfred Robaut and whispered, “You have no idea what new things I realize I can do. I glimpse things I have never seen before. It seems to me now I never knew how to paint a sky. What I see before me now is much more rose-colored, deeper, more transparent. Al! How I’d like to show you these endless expanses of sky….”