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This painting shows us the lively departure of fishing boats along the shore of Trouville, a beloved subject for Boudin, who was renowned for his ability to capture the changing atmospheric effects and coastal activities of Normandy.
The composition showcases Boudin’s fascination with maritime scenes, atmospheric light, and movement, as boats set out to sea from the bustling shore. Through rapid, fluid brushwork and sensitive attention to weather and light, Boudin immortalizes the fleeting moments of everyday life—an approach that positioned him as a precursor to Impressionism. Trouville, an elegant Normandy resort, was a recurring theme in his work, with Boudin capturing both natural seascapes and the social vibrancy of holidaymakers along the coast.
Eugène Boudin (1824–1898) was a French painter celebrated for his pioneering plein air technique and his evocative marine landscapes. Born in Honfleur to a seafaring family, Boudin spent his formative years along the Normandy coast, which deeply influenced his artistic vision. He began his career as a framing shop owner, befriending leading artists such as Jean-François Millet, but soon dedicated himself entirely to painting. Boudin’s encouragement and mentorship were pivotal in Claude Monet’s development, guiding him toward landscape painting and Impressionist ideologies.
Boudin’s open-air studies of the sky, sea, and shoreline linked the realism of earlier
landscape painting with the innovations of Impressionism. His work, though initially underappreciated, eventually gained recognition, culminating in his induction into the Legion of Honour and acquisition of his paintings by the French government. Today, Boudin is remembered as a master observer of light and atmosphere, whose beach scenes and coastal vistas played a critical role in shaping the evolution of modern art.
Eugène Boudin’s paintings are featured in many of the world’s leading museums, reflecting his significant contribution to 19th-century art. Major collections of his works can be found in museums such as the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the National Gallery in London, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The Musée Eugène Boudin in Honfleur, his birthplace, is dedicated to his oeuvre, housing an extensive collection of his coastal scenes and studies of Normandy skies.
This painting is a testament to Boudin’s lifelong devotion to the sea and the coastal scenery of Normandy, encapsulating the impression of a moment in time with exquisite artistry and emotional resonance.
Provenance: L. Baudoin Paris Frankrijk; Parijs Hotel Drouot 8 mei 1913 (collection L Baudoin) no 16; Louis Mégret Bordeaux Frankrijk; H.S. Southam Ottawa Canada; J van Herwijnen Den Haag Nederland; Diéterle Parijs; Allard Parijs; Collection London; Sotheby London 10 december 1969 no 16; Galerie Motte Geneve 12 juni 1970 no 39; Dutch private collection
Literature:
R.L Benjamin, Eugene Boudin, edit. Raymond et Raymond New York 1937, p. 106
R. Schmitt, Eugene Boudin 1824-1898, Catalogue Raisonné, 4 dln deel 3 Parijs 1973, no. 3257
Exhibitions:
Exposition des œuvres d’Eugene Boudin, Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts, januari 1899 no. 341; Kunsthandel E.J. van Wisselingh (no 5400 als Bateaux de pêcheur/ Barques a trouville) juli 1933, maart 1935, juni 1937 (1937 E.J. van Wisselingh & Co, Eugène Boudin 1824-1898, no 16) ; Marlborough Gallery London december 1958 no 71 (la sortie du port)
