Dawn: The Cock's Crow 1830 - 1878

Curator: Here we have Charles-François Daubigny’s etching, “Dawn: The Cock’s Crow,” created sometime between 1830 and 1878. It’s currently housed here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: It feels stark. There's a roughness to it that evokes a harsh rural life, almost as if it's announcing not just a new day, but the struggles that come with it. Curator: I think you’ve grasped Daubigny’s technique well. Notice the density of the lines in the foreground versus the lighter touch in the sky. This juxtaposition emphasizes the physical labour, symbolized by the earthy mound and the detailed renderings of the fowl, while the muted sky hints at the vastness and indifference of nature. Editor: And the rooster, perched so prominently. It's a classic symbol of masculinity and dominance, isn’t it? The rooster's crow isn’t just about dawn, it's about asserting power, perhaps speaking to the role of men in agricultural societies. Curator: Yes, and the printmaking technique adds to this effect. Etching, with its reliance on line and tone, creates a world of contrast. Look closely, you see the rough texture gives volume to the chicken’s feathers, which contrast against the sparse emptiness above them. Editor: Considering that Daubigny was a precursor to Impressionism, isn’t it intriguing that he returns to this realism, to this unromantic vision of labor? I find myself wondering about the lives of women in this scene— are they laboring unseen somewhere inside? This piece invites us to examine the labor systems and gendered divisions embedded within pastoral life. Curator: It is complex. This image certainly echoes traditional landscapes while engaging with modern themes through a gritty naturalism, moving beyond the idealized Romantic portrayals of pastoral life, prompting questions about the socio-economic dynamics within this seemingly simple scene. Editor: Precisely. A dawn that is as much about societal structures as it is about the rising sun. Curator: Agreed, there’s a compelling tension. Thanks for unpacking those narratives with me. Editor: Thank you, it’s enriching to view its structural components as part of its broader societal narrative.