Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

Corot came from a Bourgeoisie family and painted in the 1800s. He was a painter in the Barbizon school. He simultaneously painted in the style of Neo-classicism and while using plein-air techniques that would be so influential in the Impressionism movement.

His techniques varied over the years. As he matured, it seems, his painted gained more poetic power and moving towards the impressionistic style.

I think my favorite is Ville D'Avray. The reflection he captured on the water is extremely real and captures a really familiar sort of outside day. I can almost feel the experience of being in the scene.