Seascape, Fishing Boats 1890

Eugène Boudin made this oil painting called 'Seascape, Fishing Boats', at some point in the 19th century. It captures a sublime and ethereal moment at sea. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, we can explore how this image reflects the changing social and economic conditions of 19th-century France. Boudin was among the first French artists to paint 'en plein air', directly from nature. This shift towards outdoor painting coincided with the rise of industrialization and urbanization, as well as the expansion of leisure travel. It makes one wonder whether Boudin sought to capture a transient moment from the natural world, or whether it was instead, the dawning of a modern era. By studying historical documents, such as travel guides, shipping records, and artists' biographies, we can better understand the complex relationship between art and society, and appreciate how artists like Boudin both reflected and shaped the world around them.