Shore at Low Tide, Rainy Weather, near Trouville 1895

Eugène Boudin captured this rainy day on the shore near Trouville with oil on canvas. Boudin worked in a France that was rapidly modernizing, yet his paintings often focused on the everyday lives of those connected to the sea. Look closely, and you'll notice figures dotting the beach. They are likely locals, perhaps engaged in fishing or beachcombing, activities that were crucial for survival and sustenance. These weren't the vacationing bourgeoisie, but rather the working class whose lives were deeply intertwined with the rhythms of the sea. Boudin wasn't just painting a landscape; he was capturing a way of life. The somber palette and the artist's focus on the working class invite a moment of reflection on the social realities of 19th-century France. What does it mean to find beauty and value in the lives of those often overlooked by history?