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In Storage

Eugene Louis Boudin (1824-1898)

Moonlight Village Scene, Le Faou, Brittany (Marine Effet de Lune)

Boudin grew up in Le Havre on the Normandy coast. Working as a picture framer he met local painters who encouraged him to embark on an artistic career. Boudin's work mainly focuses on the harbours and beaches of northern France. This night scene is unusual but is marked by his interest in the effects of light and weather, focused here on the play of moonlight through the clouds and on the water below.

Boudin met Monet in 1858 and encouraged the younger artist to begin painting outdoors. Working directly from nature was key to Impressionist landscape painting. Boudin took part in the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874 and his influence was acknowledged by Monet who said "If I have become a painter, I owe this to Eugene Boudin and no other."

Mediumoil on canvas
Date
Dimensions305mm x 465mm
Acquisition NumberSOTAG : 45
Credit LinePurchased in 1932 through the Frederick William Smith Bequest Fund