The Eel Gatherers
1860-1865
Step into this lush, green world where Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot captures a quiet afternoon in the French countryside. At first glance, it looks like a peaceful family outing with women chatting and a boy bravely climbing a tree, but the title reveals a secret mission: they are gathering eels from the stream! Although often considered a precursor to the movement, Corot's loose brushwork and focus on dappled light made him a 'godfather' to Impressionism. He loved painting outdoors to catch the fleeting effects of nature, and you can almost feel the breeze rustling through those tall, thin trees in this serene scene.