Deauville, on the Jetty 1889

Eugène Boudin captured this scene, Deauville, on the Jetty, with oil on canvas, though the exact date remains elusive. Here, the parasols dotting the beach are potent symbols. These umbrellas, shelters against the sun, stretch back to ancient Egypt, depicted in hieroglyphs as signs of status and protection. In Boudin's work, they speak of leisure and modernity, yet echo ancient desires for safety and social distinction. Consider the motif of the ship, a vessel carrying dreams across water. Ships have appeared across civilizations and continents, from Viking longboats to ancient Roman galleys. Over time, the ship has transformed. This evolution reflects our enduring fascination with exploration and our subconscious anxieties about what lies beyond the horizon. Boudin taps into a collective memory, evoking a primal need for shelter and a persistent yearning for journeys into the unknown.