Atlantic coast near Benerville 1897

Eugène Boudin captured the Atlantic coast near Benerville with oil on canvas. The sailboats scattered on the horizon draw our eye, each a small vessel navigating the vast expanse of the sea. These boats carry echoes of countless journeys—explorations, migrations, and exchanges that have shaped our world. Recall the ships of ancient Greece, laden with trade and myth, or the Viking longboats that traversed uncharted waters. Boudin’s sailboats are a microcosm of human ambition and vulnerability. Consider, too, the emotional weight of departure and return symbolized by ships. The sea, a symbol of the unconscious, evokes feelings of both longing and liberation. Just as the sea has ebbed and flowed, so too have the meanings and emotions associated with boats evolved. These modest sailboats invite us to reflect on the cyclical nature of history, where symbols resurface.