Daubigny initially trained with his father, the classical landscape painter Edmond-François Daubigny (1789-1843). Soon after he was apprenticed to an engraver, and he was later to publish two albums of etchings in 1850 and 1851. During this period he sketched in the environs of Paris and the Forest of Fontainebleau, and in 1835 he travelled to Italy. In 1838 he made his debut at the Paris Salon, where he regularly exhibited landscapes for the rest of his life. He first met Corot in 1849, from which time he placed increasing importance on landscapes painted from nature. In 1857 he acquired his studio boat, nicknamed ‘Le Botin’ (Little Box) in which he explored the rivers Seine, Marne and Oise. He settled in Auvers-sur-Oise in 1860 but continued to travel around France. With increasing years his landscapes became more rapidly and freely painted. His interest in painting in the open air was an important example to the Impressionists. Claude-Oscar Monet was inspired by his example to acquire a studio boat in 1872.