Antoine Chintreuil

Corot was known for his generosity, taking in students during many stages in his career. Although he mostly gave advice, there were a few exceptions, leaving some to gratefully receive lessons and even collaboration from the master. There is no shortage of respect that follows this great artist up through the period of Impressionism.

Around 1843, in Paris, Chintreuil met Corot through the landscape painter Léopold Desbrosses. Corot became his real teacher and Chintreuil was Corot’s best student during this period. Even though Corot encouraged him to lean toward painting landscapes, Chintreuil had a definite style of his own. After being introduced to the en plein air technique, he began to paint outside. Corot’s influence on him was vast, leaving Chintreuil to refer to himself as Corot’s pupil throughout his lifetime.