Bords de l’Oise, Temps d´Orage 1872

Charles François Daubigny painted this oil on canvas, Bords de l’Oise, Temps d´Orage, sometime in the mid-19th century. Daubigny's attention to the river Oise reflects a broader shift in French art toward landscapes that captured the everyday realities of rural life. Looking closely, we see how Daubigny uses light and brushwork to convey a sense of immediacy. Painted during a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization in France, Daubigny's landscapes offered a nostalgic vision of the countryside. At the same time, these paintings also implicitly engage with contemporary debates about nature and modernity. The art institutions of the time played a role in shaping these artistic trends. The Salon exhibitions, for example, provided a venue for artists to showcase their work and engage with the prevailing aesthetic standards. To fully appreciate Daubigny's achievement, we can look at exhibition reviews, artists' correspondence, and other primary source material. Ultimately, art offers us a window onto the social and cultural dynamics of its time.