Portrieux 

Eugène Boudin captured this seascape, Portrieux, with oil on canvas. Boudin’s masterful use of oil paints, applied in layers and strokes, beautifully reflects the sky and the sea, with a careful consideration of color, texture, and form to convey the mood of the scene. The materials are traditional, but the way Boudin uses them moves beyond academic painting. Consider that the making of sails and the construction of ships, rendered with such attention here, was a major industry tied to global trade and the movement of both goods and people. It took considerable labor to produce and maintain ships like these. In this context, Boudin’s seemingly simple seascape connects directly to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. By emphasizing the materials, the making, and the context of this painting, we can appreciate its full meaning, challenging any distinctions between fine art and the everyday world.