Charles Francois Daubigny Biography
Charles-François Daubigny (1817 - 1878) was a French painter, considered one of the most significant figures of the Barbizon school and one of the most important precursors of Impressionism.
Born in Paris on 15 February 1817, he comes from a family of artisans, who encouraged his early aptitude for drawing. At 17, he took a trip to Italy and upon his return to his homeland he devoted himself mainly to engraving. His plates, influenced by Rembrandt, show a direct feeling of nature. He then worked as a picture restorer and spent time in Paul Delaroche's studio.
From 1843, he began to paint outdoors and stayed for a long time in Barbizon and in the Morvan. His notoriety increased more and more and his works were purchased by the government and by Napoleon III.
In 1852, he met Corot, with whom he worked side by side, becoming increasingly familiar with painting from life. Daubigny remained faithful to the same places: Optevoz, Villerville and above all the banks of the Seine and Oise near Auvers.
Daubigny was one of the most significant precursors of impressionism and his paintings can be found in numerous French museums, particularly in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Reims. The Mesdag Museum in The Hague has a fundamental nucleus of his works.
