Thumbnail: poster for the exhibition Eugène Boudin, le père de l’impressionnisme : une collection particulière at the Musée Marmottan Monet [9th of April 2025 – 31th of August 2025].
This exposition held at the Musée Marmottan Monet explores the different moments of Boudin’s career, a painter captivated by the countryside, and the sea.
Eugène Boudin, Petite métairie aux environs de Honfleur, 1856-1860, Oil on panel, Collection of Yann Guyonvarc’h
The trees on either side of the work, with the house and small wall in the background, close the composition, making the scene feel intimate. It looks as if we are standing in the garden that belongs to the lady on the left. Three chickens are on the foreground, all of different colors, pecking at something on the floor. I loved this painting because of its beautiful, calming green hues, and the cozy, confidential scene it represents.
Eugène Boudin, Trouville, les jetées, marée haute, 1890, Oil on panel, Collection of Yann Guyonvarc’h
This painting is one of Boudin’s classic seascapes. Having traveled to Normandy, Brittany, Venice, Belgium and the Netherlands, Boudin often painted scenes representing the sea and boats. I really like this one because of the even, vibrant blue sky. The sails are also beautifully represented, with darker lines here and there showing the shadows and folds in the fabric. In the water, we can see the boats’ reflections, delicately painted with even brushstrokes.
Eugène Boudin, Étretat, la falaise d’Aval au soleil couchant, 1890, Oil on canvas, Collection of Yann Guyonvarc’h
The full title of the exhibition is Eugène Boudin, Father of Impressionism (my own translation). Étretat, represented here, was one of Monet’s favorite places to paint. A fellow Impressionist, Monet returned to this landscape many times, depicting the same view in different conditions, with sunsets, boats, or a lively sea. This painting felt to me like a link between the
two artists, both fathers of Impressionism, who were drawn to the same place and its ever-changing landscapes.
In this painting, the fiery colors of the sunset immediately stood out to me, beautifully reflected in the sea. The warm tones of the sky and water give the scene a sense of movement and atmosphere, making the landscape feel both peaceful and vibrant.
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