How were Camille Corot’s outdoor sketches different from his finished Salon paintings?

Camille Corot’s outdoor sketches and his finished Salon paintings served distinct purposes in his artistic practice:

• Outdoor Sketches: These were small, direct, and spontaneous works created from nature during his spring and summer travels. They were characterized by technical freedom and clear color, capturing the immediacy of light and atmosphere. During the early 19th century, these sketches were generally considered raw material rather than finished art, and they were rarely intended for public exhibition.12
• Finished Salon Paintings: Created in his studio during the winter months, these large-scale works were designed for public display. They were often more formal and idealized, frequently incorporating small figures representing characters from literature, legend, or the Bible to add a sense of dignity. Later in his career, Corot developed his Souvenirs, which were composed of standardized, poetic elements—such as diaphanous trees and silvery tonalities—to evoke specific moods rather than depicting a scene directly from nature.12

While his finished works brought him contemporary success, his sketches are now highly regarded for their vitality and naturalism.1