Beach House with Flags at Trouville c. 1865

Eugène Boudin's "Beach House with Flags at Trouville," painted around 1865, captures the vibrant atmosphere of a seaside resort. The watercolor depicts a crowded beach scene at Trouville-sur-Mer, a popular coastal town in Normandy, France. Boudin's loose brushwork and impressionistic style capture the movement of the crowd and the shimmering light of the sea. The French flags waving atop a nearby building add a patriotic touch to the scene, reflecting the growing national pride in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War. Boudin's focus on everyday life and the changing moods of nature made him a pioneer of plein air painting. He was also a strong influence on Claude Monet and other Impressionist painters.