Figure 1.--Until the mid-19th century, river/canal barges were the principal way of moving goods inland. Both Britain an France had well developed canal systems which suplemnted the rivers as highays of commerce. The railroad with steam power changed that and gradually the barge system became rundown and bargemen eaked out only a meagre living. Their families lived with them on the barges. Schooling for the children was thus difficult. Dufau has captured the children on one of those barges at this pont in time (1898).

Clementine-Hélène Dufau (1869-1937, Paris) was a French painter decorative artist, poster designer, and illustrator. Her family was Basque. Her father was an entrpreneur who made a fortune in Cuba. Clementine was sickly as a girl, and at times bed-ridden. She passed the time drawing. She wanted to study art, rather an adventuresome step in a male-dominated field. Her family supported her, selling their vinyard and moving to Paris. We have not found a lot of her work, but we notice a charming self-portrai (1911). We have found only one piece depicting children-- 'Enfants de mariniers' (Bargemen's children). This is interesting because until the mid-19th century, river/canal barges were the principal way of moving goods inland. Both Britain an France had well developed canal systems which suplemnted the rivers as highways of commerce. The railroad with steam power changed that and gradually the barge system became rundown and bargemen eaked out only a meagre living. Their families lived with them on the barges. Schooling for the children was thus difficult. Dufau has captured the children on one of those barges at this pont in time (1898). Dufau's finances declined in her later years and her work was largely forgotton.

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Created: 4:53 PM 8/19/2018
Last updated: 4:53 PM 8/19/2018