Venise, Le Grand Canal, Vapeurs Et Gondoles 1895

Eugène Boudin captured this view of Venice, titled “Venise, Le Grand Canal, Vapeurs Et Gondoles”, using oil on canvas. The way Boudin applies the paint is key here. Rather than striving for smooth realism, he’s interested in capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere, with quick, loose brushstrokes. Boudin wasn't just painting a scene, he was exploring the effects of modernization on this iconic city. Notice the steamship, a relatively new arrival in Venice at the time, juxtaposed against the traditional gondolas. This contrast speaks to the changing social and economic landscape of the late 19th century, when industrial progress was beginning to transform even the most historic places. Boudin's painting technique mirrors this sense of change, it’s spontaneous and sketch-like, as if to capture a moment in time before it slips away, a break from the fine art and craft. Considering the materials and processes, it encourages us to reflect on how traditional art forms can capture the transformations of the modern world.