The Trouville Coastline, Low tide 1883

Eugène Boudin painted "The Trouville Coastline, Low tide" with oil on canvas, a common practice at the time. Boudin masterfully uses the qualities inherent in oil paint to evoke a sense of place. Notice how the thick impasto captures the rough texture of the sand and the choppy surface of the water. He also uses thin glazes to create atmospheric depth. These techniques allowed Boudin to capture the fleeting effects of light and weather on the Normandy coast. Consider the tradition Boudin was working within, and the labor involved in preparing paints. Pigments had to be ground and mixed with oil, a task that required skill and patience. The painting itself, with its layers of carefully applied brushstrokes, represents hours of dedicated labor. By emphasizing the materials and processes behind "The Trouville Coastline, Low tide," we gain a deeper appreciation for Boudin's skill and the cultural significance of his work. It encourages us to reconsider what counts as art.