The Marsh
1871
Charles François Daubigny captures the quiet, humid atmosphere of a French marshland in this 1871 landscape. Notice how the sky dominates the composition, taking up nearly two-thirds of the canvas with its soft, billowing clouds that hint at the changing weather. Daubigny was a key figure in the Barbizon School and a major influence on the Impressionists, and you can see why here—he prioritized capturing the fleeting effects of light and nature over strict, detailed realism. The loose brushwork on the water's surface beautifully reflects the trees and sky, making the scene feel alive and breezy. It's a perfect example of painting *en plein air* (outdoors), a practice Daubigny championed by even using a specially equipped boat studio to paint along the Seine and Oise rivers.