Princess Pauline Metternich on the Beach c. 1865 - 1867

Eugène Boudin painted Princess Pauline Metternich on the Beach in France, likely in the 1860s. The woman in white was a prominent figure in the social world of the French Second Empire. Boudin presents her as a fashion icon and a symbol of aristocratic power. But this image also subtly critiques the institutions of art. While history painting was still considered the most elevated genre by the French Academy, Boudin chose to paint a scene of modern life. Notice the sketchy brushwork and the absence of fine detail, which departs from academic conventions of realism. His art also subtly challenged the power of the French aristocracy by capturing a casual and intimate scene. The beach was a new social space, and fashion was increasingly available to the middle classes. Historical sources like fashion plates, social columns, and exhibition reviews help us understand the social codes and artistic conventions that shaped the production and reception of this image.