The Dray Horses 1850

"The Dray Horses" is an etching by Charles François Daubigny created in 1850. The print depicts a group of dray horses wading through a shallow body of water under a cloudy sky, with figures on horseback in the foreground. Daubigny, a French artist known for his depictions of rural landscapes, captured the movement and the quiet solitude of this scene, showcasing his skilled use of light and shadow. The etching's realism and focus on the natural world represent a key aspect of the Barbizon School movement, which sought to capture the beauty of everyday life and nature. "The Dray Horses" is a masterful example of Daubigny's artistry and offers a glimpse into the romanticism of 19th-century landscape painting.