The barges 1865

Charles-François Daubigny made this painting, The Barges, using oils on canvas, a material and method central to 19th-century art. Daubigny’s technique, however, was distinct. The way he applied the paint, in loose, visible strokes, makes the scene look spontaneous, as if captured in a fleeting moment. Look closely, and you'll see how the brushwork creates texture, especially in the reflection of the water. This focus on the materiality of paint itself, rather than illusionism, was a hallmark of his work. Living on a boat for a significant amount of time, Daubigny observed the lives of working-class communities along the river Oise. Barges, a work that portrays the realities of river life, is a reflection of the changing economic landscape and increasing industrialization of France. By emphasizing the materials and processes of painting, and drawing attention to everyday life, Daubigny challenges traditional artistic boundaries, elevating the ordinary into something truly remarkable.