The Shore at Tourgeville 1893

Eugène Boudin painted this canvas of The Shore at Tourgeville, using oil, in the late 19th century. The art world of this period underwent a major shift in style, moving away from the rigid constraints of academic painting. Here, Boudin has captured a scene of bourgeois leisure, with figures strolling along the coast, parasols shading them from the sun. France at this time was experiencing rapid industrialization and social change. The rise of the middle class led to new forms of recreation and tourism. Coastal towns like Tourgeville became popular destinations for those seeking respite from urban life. Boudin's choice of subject matter reflects this shift in social values. The looser brushwork and emphasis on capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere also signify an art world that was in constant flux. We can use historical documents, travel guides, fashion magazines, and social commentaries of the period, to find the evidence to support these changing conditions. The meanings we ascribe to art is always dependent on its moment in time.