Conversation on the Beach 1865

Eugène Boudin made this beach scene, probably in the 1860s, using watercolor on paper. This choice of materials gives the painting its distinctive character. The thin washes of color allow the ground of the paper to show through, creating a sense of light and airiness. Boudin’s quick, loose brushstrokes capture the fleeting moment of a conversation on the beach. The immediacy of watercolor lends itself well to this impressionistic style, as it allows the artist to work quickly and spontaneously. It is a very portable medium, after all, suited to an artist working ‘en plein air’, and capturing a transient moment. The informality of the materials also contrasts with the subject matter – fashionably dressed figures, enjoying a leisure activity made possible by the rise of industrial capitalism. As you look at the painting, consider how the choice of watercolor and paper contributes to its overall effect, blurring the lines between fine art and everyday observation.