Eugène Boudin’s early work in printing led him to meet Thomas Couture and Jean-François Millet, inspiring him to pursue an artistic career at the age of 22. By 1851, he was studying in Isabey’s studio while copying Old Masters at the Louvre. In 1859, he exhibited for the first time at the Salon and became close with Courbet and Jongkind. Courbet and Boudin often met in Normandy. Between 1863 and 1867, he spent considerable time in Brittany and participated in the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874. Boudin emerged as a master of marine scenes, paying tribute to the sea and its shores. His style is distinguished by his emphasis on skies and atmospheric effects celebrated by Corot, as well as his swift brushwork, essential for capturing and conveying the fleeting nature of light.

Through his choice of new subjects—such as shifting light, vast, dynamic skies, and the shores and beaches of Normandy—and his rapid, sketch-like technique, Boudin foreshadowed Impressionism. He noted that “only the states of the atmosphere, depending on place, time, and wind, interest him,” and he introduced Monet to plein-air painting. In this way, Boudin became a forerunner of Impressionism. Aguttes frequently pays homage to this talented painter. Nicknamed “the king of skies” by Corot, Boudin continues to captivate collectors.

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