La plage 1865 - 1870

"La plage" (The Beach) is a quick sketch by Eugène Boudin, dating between 1865 and 1870. The artist is known for his plein air, or outdoor paintings, primarily focused on capturing the movement and atmosphere of the French seaside. This particular work depicts a seated woman with an umbrella, likely a fashionable beachgoer, while two men stand talking in the background. Boudin’s use of quick brushstrokes and washes of color conveys the fleeting moment of a casual encounter at the beach, a hallmark of his Impressionistic style.