Deauville, Le Bassin À Marée Haute 1890

Eugène Boudin captured Deauville harbor at high tide with oil on canvas. Boudin was pivotal in the shift away from academic painting and towards the looser, more immediate style of Impressionism, a movement which challenged the artistic establishment of 19th century France. Boudin’s choice of subject matter departs from history painting, and his painting presents a modern scene of commercial life. In the 1800’s, Deauville transformed from a sleepy fishing village to a bustling port, becoming emblematic of France's economic progress. This image creates meaning through its candid depiction of a specific place, and also signals the rising middle class by the presence of leisure boats along the harbor. The open brushwork hints at the fleeting nature of modern life. To better understand this painting, we can turn to sources such as period guidebooks, economic data, and social commentary. By placing art in its social and institutional context, we can appreciate its meaning as a reflection of change.