I recently came across a painting of a beach scene. It is done with oils and is quite finely done, but it is a copy (as far as I can tell) of a painting by artist #EugeneLouisBoudin (1824-1898). Boudin was at the forefront of French landscape painters who painted ‘en plein air’. The art of painting outside rather than in a studio. Boudin is considered to be a forerunner to the Impressionist movement.

Boudin became an artist at 22 and moved to Paris to learn under Eugene Isabey, Johan Jongkind, and Troyon. Boudin was a marine painter and specialised in capturing the events that occurred on the sea and the shore.

Some of his most loved images are paintings of the crowds of affluent holidaymakers on the beaches of Trouville and Deauville.

The piece, I acquired is of the beach at Trouville with its crowd of visitors enjoying the sea air.

The original of this piece hangs in the Musee d’Orsay. As one looks at the close-ups above, you can see the thickening paint at times brushed on in lumps. There is dirt, sand, and debris in the applied paint. All adding unexpected subtleties to the image. All this one would expect painting ‘en plein air’ where one is at the mercy of the wind and weather.

Even as a copy, the painting is impressive. Quick broad strokes, vibrant hues, and a surety of touch have brought this scene to life, but at some point in time, someone has trimmed this artwork. Roughly an inch on the right-hand side has been cut off and close to four inches off of the left side. Too bad. I would’ve liked to have seen it in its entirety.