The Botin Moored under a Tree 1862

Charles François Daubigny made "The Botin Moored under a Tree" with pen and brown ink, on paper. Though undated, it reflects Daubigny’s innovative approach to landscape in 19th-century France. Daubigny was part of a shift towards more naturalistic and direct observations, a move away from academic painting and towards capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. He even worked from a studio-boat – "le Botin" – which allowed him to access and sketch the landscape from unique vantage points. This direct engagement with the environment challenged the established norms of the art world, which had previously valued historical and allegorical themes over scenes of everyday life. To understand Daubigny's artistic choices, we can delve into the art criticism of the time, exhibition records, and biographical accounts. These resources help us understand the changing social values that allowed the rise of landscape painting, as well as the institutions that legitimized it. The art of Daubigny is more than just a pretty picture, it’s a reflection of a changing world.