Eugène Boudin · 1824–1898
Eugène Boudin
Eugène Boudin (1824-1898) was a French painter. Calling himself the painter of the beaches, he depicted skies and seas, taught the young Monet to paint outdoors, and is regarded as a forerunner of Impressionism.
Eugène Boudin was born in the port town of Honfleur at the mouth of the Seine and raised in Le Havre across the estuary. In 1844 he opened a shop selling art supplies and stationery and drew in his spare time, but friendships with Millet and others who visited the shop led him to take up painting seriously. In 1850 he exhibited in a Le Havre exhibition, won a scholarship, and went to study in Paris.
In 1858 he met Claude Monet, then 17, and taught him to paint outdoors as they worked together. He first exhibited at the Salon in 1859 and took part in the first Impressionist exhibition in 1873. Calling himself the painter of the seaside, he painted the sky, sea, and sand seen from the beach in soft light and subtly changing air. In Japan, The Coast at Berck is held.
Eugène Boudin was born on July 12, 1824 and died on August 8, 1898.
