Charles-Francois Daubigny

(Paris, 15 February 1817 – 19 February 1878 in Paris)

Charles-Francois Daubigny (Paris, 15 February 1817 – 19 February 1878 in Paris) was one of the painters of the Barbizon school, and is considered an important precursor of Impressionism.

Daubigny was born into a family of painters and was taught the art by his father Edmond François Daubigny and his uncle, miniaturist Pierre Daubigny.

Initially Daubigny painted in a traditional style, but this changed after 1843 when he settled in Barbizon to work outside in nature. Even more important was his meeting with Camille Corot in 1852 in Optevoz (Isere). On his famous boat Botin, which he had turned into a studio, he painted along the Seine and Oise, often in the region around Auvers. From 1852 onward he came under the influence of Gustave Courbet.