Berck, Fishermen at Low Tide 

Eugène Boudin captured this scene of Berck, Fishermen at Low Tide with oil on canvas, a traditional pairing for painting. Boudin was renowned for his seascapes, and in this one, the rapid brushstrokes wonderfully convey the wetness of the beach. Looking closely, you can almost feel the dampness and the hard labor of the fishermen. Their work is intimately tied to the cycles of nature, and the painting suggests a direct connection to the materiality of the sea, the boats, and the fish they depend on. The roughness of the paint application mirrors the ruggedness of the fisherman’s daily existence. The canvas itself, a woven textile, becomes another layer in the story of production and craft. Boudin's choice of subject invites us to consider the everyday lives of working people, rather than idealized or heroic narratives. By focusing on the activities of these laborers, Boudin elevates their experiences and acknowledges the value of their contributions to society. This moves beyond traditional academic art, and gives us a glimpse into the working world.