La rivière, le soir 

Charles-François Daubigny created this painting, La rivière, le soir, in France during the mid-19th century, a period marked by significant social and economic change. Daubigny, part of the Barbizon school, sought to depict the French countryside in a naturalistic style, turning away from academic painting and its classical or historical subjects. Here, the serene river scene, rendered in muted tones, reflects an intimate engagement with nature. The composition suggests the rising status of landscape painting outside formal institutions like the Academy. Daubigny's choice of subject reflects the growing appeal of rural life amidst industrialization, seen across artistic and literary circles at the time. To understand Daubigny's position within the art world, it's essential to delve into exhibition records and critical reception of the period. Such research reveals a shift in aesthetic preferences, echoing broader cultural transformations in 19th-century France.