Daubigny was an inspiration to the Impressionists, and he loved to paint landscapes with historical or religious subjects.
Unknown / Oil on canvas
Like most Impressionists, Daubigny often painted directly from nature outside, but completed them in his studio.
In 1857 he bought a small boat which he turned into a floating studio. His young admirer Monet later followed his example and often painted from a studio boat.
Daubigny often travelled along the Seine, Marne and Oise, and moored at tranquil spots that were not always accessible by land.
The Impressionists admired his ability to capture small delicate brushstrokes.
Lake with ducks / Oil on canvas / 1873
A critic of Daubigny's landscapes once wrote 'it is really a pity that this landscape artist, having so true, so apt, so natural a feeling for his subject should content himself with an "impression" and should neglect detail to such an extent. His pictures are no more than sketches barely begun.'
In his work 'Lake with Ducks' we can see his desire to capture the still water and ever changing skies - as well as the play of light on water. The feathery brushstrokes of Daubigny used for the foliage of the tall, spindly trees are not dissimilar to those used by his older friend Corot, with whom he often painted with outdoors.
