Landscape along a Country Road c. 1860

Charles François Daubigny probably painted Landscape along a Country Road outdoors using oil paint on canvas. Daubigny favored painting en plein air, which means "in the open air" in French. It was a method that grew in popularity throughout the 19th century among landscape painters. He would have set up his easel directly in front of the scene, which allowed him to capture the immediate effects of light and atmosphere. The rough texture of the brushstrokes and the way the paint is layered gives us a sense of the physical effort involved in creating this landscape. It would take years of practice to master his brushstrokes, but the immediacy of the work is refreshing, giving the viewer a sense of being present in the countryside. This painting is a beautiful reminder of the labor and skill that goes into creating art. It invites us to appreciate the close relationship between the artist, their materials, and the world around them.