Clair de Lune à Valmondois. Moonlight at Valmondois. by Charles François Daubigny, 1817-1878

Charles François Daubigny, 1817-1878
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Clair de Lune à Valmondois. Moonlight at Valmondois.

Original etching in black ink on cream paper. 1877. Signed with the 'scratch signature' in the plate. Rare proof before all lettering, before the issued editions. Printed at the studio of Delatre. Published editions issued with lettering by Cadart for L'Illustration Nouvelle 1877. Rare as a proof.
Ref: Delteil-Daubigny Peintre-Graveur no 127 (2nd state of 4)

Beautiful rich and tonal proof impression with wiped tone. On cream chine appliqué on a white wove backing sheet, as printed. Generally excellent condition; slight trace of old mounting at the outer sheet edges on the reverse. Wide margins. Plate: 5 1/4 x 8 1/2ins (134x217mm).

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A superb example of Daubigny?s mature etching style in a beautiful and rare proof impression before lettering.

Daubigny?s etching epitomises the appreciation of the light and atmosphere of open-air nature which was the central theme of the realist landscape movement in France in the mid 19th century. Inspired by Corot, and the romantic early 19th century landscapists, Daubigny, Rousseau and other like-minded artists had settled in Barbizon, a village on the edge of the Forest of Fonatainbleau near Paris, to focus their painting on capturing the effects of real landscape.

Daubigny began to etch on such themes as early as the 1840?s, exhibiting these revolutionary prints at the Salon. He was an etched with an inspired feeling for the evocation of light in landscape. He particularly enjoyed an element of drama in lighting, storms, the sunrise, or, as here, moonlight. This etching, one of the last in his oeuvre, has a wonderful feeling for the drama of the moonlight, the shadows, the silhouetting, the atmosphere of evening calm.