Vintagers 1865

Editor: Here we have Charles François Daubigny's print "Vintagers." The composition, with the oxen and cart, feels very grounded. What do you see in this piece that speaks to its time? Curator: It is important to consider the rise of Realism in Daubigny's era, challenging the Romantic idealization of rural life. This etching, depicting farmworkers with their oxen, engages with the social realities of the French countryside. Do you think it glorifies or critiques rural life? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way! I guess it feels more documentary than romantic. The labor seems almost mundane. Curator: Exactly. And think about the role of art exhibitions. Daubigny presented these images to a rapidly urbanizing audience, shaping their understanding of rural life, both as a picturesque scene and a working environment. Editor: That makes me see it in a totally different light now. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It's always fruitful to examine art through the lens of its historical context.