Mullet and Fish 1873

Eugène Boudin painted this still life, “Mullet and Fish,” with oil on canvas, a standard approach for its time. Yet the way he handled the paint is far from standard. Boudin applied it thinly, almost like a wash, building up layers to create depth and shadow. Notice the contrast between the dark background and the silvery highlights on the fish scales. This isn't just about depicting what fish look like, but about the experience of seeing them in the dim light of a market or kitchen. Boudin was interested in capturing fleeting moments, and the way light plays across surfaces. This interest extended beyond fine art, influencing the burgeoning fields of commercial design and display. The painting isn’t just a representation of dead fish. It reflects an entire culture of production and consumption, where even the humblest objects are worthy of careful attention. It reminds us that art isn't just about beauty, it’s also about how we see the world around us.