Washerwomen at the Oise River near Valmondois 1865

Charles-François Daubigny created "Washerwomen at the Oise River near Valmondois," a painting with a limited palette of greens, browns, and whites. The composition is divided horizontally, with the lower half dominated by the reflective surface of the water. The application of paint is remarkably free and loose. Daubigny captures the scene's essence with broad strokes. The brushstrokes aren't trying to mimic reality but to create an atmosphere, to suggest light, depth, and movement. The trees on the left aren't detailed but are masses of color and texture that give weight to that side of the canvas, balancing the open space on the right. Daubigny's approach challenges traditional landscape painting, where detail and precision were valued. This semiotic shift moves away from representing the world as it is and instead captures the artist's perception and experience. The painting serves not as a mirror but as a sign, a symbol pointing towards a new way of seeing and engaging with the natural world.