Study for "The Destruction of Sodom"

Camille Corot's Study for "The Destruction of Sodom" is a preparatory work for a larger, unrealized painting that depicts the biblical story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah from the Book of Genesis. In this study, Corot captures the dramatic moment when the ancient cities are engulfed in divine wrath, with flames and smoke rising over a desolate landscape. The scene centers on the figures of Lot and his family fleeing the doomed city, led by an angel, with Lot’s wife turning back to witness the destruction, against divine command.

Corot’s choice of this subject reflects the Romantic era's fascination with biblical themes and the sublime power of nature and divine judgment. Though primarily known for his landscape paintings, Corot was drawn to biblical and mythological subjects early in his career, often using these themes to explore dramatic natural settings and human emotion. In Study for "The Destruction of Sodom," Corot uses expressive brushwork and contrasts of light and shadow to convey the apocalyptic nature of the scene, highlighting the tension between divine power and human vulnerability.