Le Havre. Avent Port. 1887

Eugène Boudin made “Le Havre. Avant Port.” with oil on canvas. Boudin's quick brushstrokes really capture the energy of this busy port scene. Notice how he uses thin layers of paint to create a sense of light and atmosphere. Look at the way he handles the water – it's almost like he's just dabbed the paint on, but it gives you a real sense of movement. The thick application of paint on the clouds mimics the weight and mass of the sky. Now, think about what's going on in this port. Ships are coming and going, people are loading and unloading goods – it's all about trade and commerce. Boudin is showing us the engine of capitalism at work, capturing a moment in time when industry and labor were transforming the world. In doing so, he invites us to consider the connection between artistic creation, the amount of labor involved, and the wider social and economic forces that shaped the world.