By Charles François Daubigny
Located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
A characteristic and moving 19th century image by Charles Francois Daubigny depicting workers at sunset. A very prevalent artist in his time and popular amongst his peers. Oil on board, 1860.
Charles François Daubigny belonged to a family of painters and engravers: his grandfather; his father, Edme-François; his sister, Rolande; his uncle, Pierre; his aunt, Amélie Dautel; and his son after him were artists. Daubigny studied first with his father. In 1840 he started to work for the historical painter Paul Delaroche. He earned a living by producing decoration for sweet boxes and countless illustrations mostly for wood engravings, being paid 20 sous for each.
From 1844 his standing as an artist grew, and he was commissioned to decorate the reception rooms of the state ministry at the Louvre. Furthermore, the paintings resulting from his travels on barge-cum-studio were in great demand, to the extent that he was criticised for bucking the market.
Daubigny painted first and foremost water and, as nobody else before him, he did so 'on the water', in this respect reminiscent of Claude Monet. He spawned followers throughout the second half of the 19th century until the beginning of World War I, just a few of which are Eugène Louis Boudin, Johan Jongkind, Stanislas Lépine, Antoine Chintreuil...
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19th Century Impressionist Charles François Daubigny Art