The Hamlet of Optevoz  1852

This peaceful evening scene is thought to be based on drawings Daubigny made in 1852 at Optevoz, a town in the valley of the river Rhône that he had first visited in 1849. (One of these sketches is also in the Museum's collection.) Although the painting appears to give a straightforward description of things seen, Daubigny is thought to have sacrificed finish and detail in...