The Carriage 1850

Editor: Here we have Charles François Daubigny's "The Carriage." It feels so desolate, these covered wagons stretching into the distance. What can you tell me about it? Curator: This etching captures the mid-19th century fascination with rural life. Daubigny, aligning with the Barbizon school, often depicted peasant life. How do you think this depiction of travel relates to the industrial revolution occurring at the time? Editor: It almost romanticizes a slower pace of life, a rejection of the industrial world. Curator: Precisely. The art world in the 19th century was changing rapidly, mirroring society. The rise of the bourgeoisie and their preferences for idealized scenes greatly impacted which artists gained success. Editor: That's insightful. I see now how this image speaks to a longing for simpler times.