The Boule Players 

Jean Hugo painted "The Boule Players" using oil on canvas. Hugo’s flat application of paint gives the artwork a graphic quality. By focusing on the relationships between shapes and blocks of color, Hugo has stripped down this coastal town to its bare essentials, reminiscent of a stage set. The use of oil paint in a flat, almost matte finish, is more aligned with a traditional approach to painting. We can consider its availability and affordability as factors that impacted its use, and thus the outcome. Painting offered Hugo the opportunity to engage with themes of leisure and the everyday lives of working-class people. In France, boules is often associated with working-class culture. Ultimately, by considering the materials and the artist's background, we can appreciate how "The Boule Players" speaks to the intersection of art, culture, and society, bridging the gap between fine art and everyday life.