The Steam Boats 1861

"The Steam Boats" is a black and white etching by French artist Charles François Daubigny, created in 1861. This etching, a printmaking technique that uses an acid-resistant coating on a metal plate, depicts a river scene with two steamboats in the distance and a small boat with a lone figure rowing in the foreground. The choppy water and smoke from the steamboats create a sense of movement and dynamism. Daubigny was known for his landscapes that often depicted the impact of industrialization on the natural world, which is clearly evident in this print. This work is an excellent example of Daubigny’s interest in capturing the interplay of nature and industry in the modern world.