Trouville, Beach Scene 

Eugène Boudin made this beach scene in Trouville, France, likely in the 1860s, using oil on panel. The image captures the leisure activities of the rising bourgeoisie in France at the time. We see fashionable figures dotting the beach with their parasols. Trouville, like many coastal towns, became a popular resort for the new middle class, enabled by the expansion of railways. Boudin’s loose brushwork and focus on capturing the atmosphere of the scene reflect the growing interest in depicting modern life. The art institutions of the day were still very much focused on historical painting, so this kind of subject matter was somewhat novel. It marks a shift towards art that reflects the everyday experiences of a changing society. To understand Boudin’s work more deeply, we need to look at the socio-economic conditions of France under the Second Empire, the rise of leisure culture, and the evolving role of art in reflecting and shaping social values.