The Hillsides of Méry-sur-Oise, Opposite Auvers 1873

Charles-François Daubigny painted "The Hillsides of Méry-sur-Oise, Opposite Auvers" during a period of significant social and economic change in France. His engagement with the natural world, specifically the French countryside, reflects a broader cultural interest in the relationship between humanity and nature. Daubigny sought to capture the transient qualities of light and atmosphere, often working en plein air. In this landscape, a sense of serenity and tranquility is achieved through soft brushstrokes, a muted color palette, and the depiction of a lone figure fishing. But the history of landscape painting is not without its complexities; it is often intertwined with notions of property, ownership, and even national identity. How does Daubigny's intimate portrayal of the French countryside serve as both an escape from and a reflection of the socio-political dynamics of his time? What stories do these serene landscapes conceal?