HONFLEUR SOUVENIRS ET REVERIES

 

Eugène BOUDIN

1824-1898 BIOGRAPHY p. I - II



 

January 1871 - apart from a little Flemish gibberish at the market, one feels more in France here than in Finistère (letter to his brother Louis). In August he paints: The English fleet comes and takes back the remains of the soldiers buried in the citadel of Antwerp (Ill). Of evil memory. in catalogue of the exhibit E.B. 1992 - Biography by L Manoeuvre.

January 1872 - We often see Monet in the home of which we had these days a home warming party (in Argenteuil) (to his brother Louis). I spoke here on behalf of several of my comrades, inter alia Monet and Gautier. Boudin to Courbet, prisoner on parole. Durand-Ruel archives, ibidem.

January 6: I am all the more glad to have received your charming letter that there are many quitters nowadays. Courbet to Boudin, Jean-Aubry pg 84.

1874 - Participation in the first " Impressionist " exhibition at Nadar's. Paris, 35 Boulevard des Capucines. April 15th until May 15th. Gaspard Felix Tournachon (1820-1910) known as Nadar, a photographer, draughtsman, painter, aeronaut and writer, lend his studios for the first of the eight exhibits of the Société Anonyme des Artistes peintres, sculpteurs et graveurs. (then the artists exhibit by the Durand-Ruel dealer for finally be shown in 1886 in the very famous and popular Pavillon of the Panorama .../. Alain Tapié pg XVIII).

February 1875 - Bordeaux kept us almost six weeks. We accompanied with great pomp to his last resting place our dear Corot (dead on February 22nd). Millet (dead on January 20th) for his part did not enjoy for a long time his great reputation.../. They were the two strongest personalities of this time. (to F. Martin, in cat. E.B. 92 - Bio. by L. Manoeuvre).

May 1876 - Tomorrow or after tomorrow at the latest we will start out. We are going to Amsterdam and perhaps further more.../. I do not know if we will not be travelling three or four months. (to Louis, from Paris, ibidem).

March 1877 - Whether we come back from Asnières or Amsterdam, it is exactly the same thing, the public seems to be interested in nothing.../. we will not leave (for Trouville sur mer) before the first fortnight of April is over. (letter to his brother Louis, ibidem).

March 1880 - I saw that the municipality of Le Havre wants to stir itself concerning the projected Exposure. F. Martin is named secretary and he already wrote me so that I provide him with information and he hopes to have works of our bigwigs .../. we are making preparations for leaving Paris at the end of April, if possible. (to his brother Louis, ibidem).

For the first time in 1881, he is awarded a third medal at le Salon with his painting the Meuse, in Rotterdam (oil on canvas 85x138cm. Orsay Museum, Paris). December: Completely monopolized by Durand-Ruel. (to F. Martin, ibidem).

February 1883 - exhibit of 150 paintings, as well as pastels and watercolours of Boudin for the inauguration of the new buildings of the Durand-Ruel gallery, Paris - 9 Boulevard de la Madeleine. Second class medal at le Salon. cat. E.B. 92 - Bio. by L. M.

January 1884 - Ribot Banquet: " We had not kept the presidential chair for a personality. The president appointed by all, wore neither his black dress neither a cross nor decorations : it was Eugene Boudin "(Louis de Fourcaud, Gustave Cahen pg. 100). " Banquet against the Institute ", according to the Journal of the Goncourt brothers. " There are Fantin-Latour, Monet, Raffaëlli, Goncourt, César Franck, Lalo. The banquet is chaired by his very old friend, Boudin, with whom he takes pleasure to have long conversations on art, in Trouville or Paris. At the end of the meal, Ribot, very moved, pronounces some words which rather express its aesthetic preferences and the distance that it takes with the official honours: " Messrs, I drink to the art, but the art that I like, the art of the emancipatory Masters, the art of Millet, Corot, Daubigny, Courbet, Manet. " Jean-Aubry, who report these remarks, continues: " If he does not add to the list the names of Jongkind, Boudin and Monet, it is because, by an extreme delicacy, he wanted to name only dead artists ". J S Klein pg 41.

October 7th: We hoped to go to Paris for about the middle of this month but a rather serious indisposition confines me at home as well as a removal to be organized (he decided to have a house built, Oliffe street n° 8, in Deauville). Letters to F. Martin, November 20. Preserved at the Library of Art and Archaeology, in cat. E.B. 92 - Bio. by L.M.

June 1886 - Yesterday I visited at Petit's an exhibit where Monet causes a sensation. (to F. Martin, ibidem).

May 1887 - Not worked all these last times. Get an irritation: incredible in consequence of discouragement which overcomes you. (Journal Gustave Cahen pg. 198 - in cat. E.B. 92 - Bio. by L. M).

February 1889 - 2 paintings are exposed at the World Fair: sunset; a seascape - les Lamaneurs / the Pilots. Gold medal. ibidem. (Ill) Trouville, l'entrée des jetées à marée basse / Trouville Deauville, jetties low tide. Oil on panel 27x22cm. Bequest J. Boussard 1990. The Eugène Boudin Museum Honfleur, France. The National Gallery London preserves The Entrance to Trouville Harbour, 1888. The Museum of Fine Arts Boston: Trouville Les Jetées a Marée Basse, 1885.

March 24th: Marie-Anne Boudin dies in Paris. ibidem.. March 28th: from Fresselines (Creuse), Monet writes apologizing for his absence near the man whose advices made me what I am. (G. Cahen pg. 105-106). The Regional Art Gallery, Liberec Czech Rep preserves Swamp in Honfleur, 1889.

April 20th: I work as a mad for Mr Durand-Ruel who wants to expose me really. (letter to Pieter van der Velde, municipal archives of Le Havre, published by the museum of Le Havre - in cat. E.B. 92 - Bio. by L. M). 89 paintings will be shown. R.Schmit E.B/G.

August: Pierre Puvis de Chavannes (1824-1898) visits him at Deauville to convince him to join the future Société nationale des Beaux-Arts (National Company of the Arts). G. de Knyff. pg. 216 in catalogue of the show E.B. 1992 - Biography by L M. Visit confirmed by a letter to his pupil Louis Braquaval. (Landscape and marine painter, born in Lille - North of France - in 1854, died in 1919 - E.B/G).

September 3rd: I needed to install and finish my small pastoral studio in Deauville. (to Braquaval).

December 1890 - Durand-Ruel exposes 99 paintings and pastels of Boudin. This year he buys 52 paintings from him. Account book. G. de Knyff in catalogue of the exhibit E.B. 1992 - Biography by L. M.

March 1891 - 16: You have heard the death of Jongkind (dead on February 9th); one more of our business who died .../. to F. Martin, on a leaflet of the exposure. Durand-Ruel, particular collection in cat. E.B. 92 - Bio. by L. M).

June 19th - I do not know who is the man who devoted me some lines in the mail concerning the show. He maintains that I produce too much and that I work only for money (to F. Martin from Paris and about to leave for Deauville, particular collection, ibidem). 33 paintings, 35 pastels and 190 drawings will be exposed this year at Durand-Ruel's. R. Schmit in E.B/G.

July 28th - Letter in which he says to have interceded on behalf of Jongkind so that this one is decorated with the Legion of Honour before his death. (to Stevens from Boulogne, Durand-Ruel archives in catalogue of the exhibit E.B. 1992 - Biography by L Manoeuvre). (Ill) E Boudin Havre crépuscule bassin du commerce; Musée A. Malraux Havre.

September 15th: This is the times of mourning. The friend Ribot is passing away (dead on September 11th). The old father Martin is critically ill (to an unknown pen friend, Deauville, Durand-Ruel files, ibidem).

1892 - Villefranche-sur-mer (South of France) and Venice.

July 19th: by decree proclaimed on the report of the Minister for Education, he is made a chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

July 28th: he congratulates Monet for its recent marriage with Alice Hoschedé. in cat. E.B. 92 - Bio. by L. M.

October 30th: Puvis de Chavannes announces to him that he will initiate him into the order of the Legion of Honour. ibidem.

November 2: Puvis de Chavannes officially gives to Boudin the insignia as a chevalier of the Legion of Honour. Rodin (1840-1917) congratulates Boudin. - in Gilbert de Knyff, Eugene Boudin Editions Mayer 1976.

February 1893 - 20th: I intend to leave in early Mars to go and spend five or six weeks in the land of the sun - Antibes, Juan les Pins, Venice - (to his pupil Braquaval). September: he entrusts to the Ebstein dealer 7 paintings, estimated 1 800 F the unit, in exchange of a gold wristwatch and a pair of brilliants. in Boudin's account book. G. de Knyff - ibidem.

May 1894: Moreover it was the opening of the Show and a chore for my old legs (to Louis). In spite of his adhesion at the national Company of the Arts, he still continues to attend the inauguration of the show Le Salon, to which Louis Braquaval will remain faithful. in cat. E.B. 92 - Bio. by L. M.

June 30: There is nothing more in this moment but an extremely curious exhibition about the English school. Turner, Constable, and others. I derived much benefit of this exhibition ... it is extremely instructive and we learn a lesson from that. (to his pupil Braquaval). ibidem.

Exchange paintings for a crescent-shaped jewel in brillants, a silver service of forks and spoons and a silver oilcan. Account book. G. de Knyff - ibidem.

1895: May 1st: it seems however to me that our Champ de Mars (Salon de la Société Nationale. des Beaux-Arts / show of the National Company of the Arts) offers more subjects for studies, more bold experiments. (to Braquaval, after having visited the official Show). in cat. E.B. 92 - Bio. by L. M.

September 29th: I did nothing but cross Paris on my return of Venice.../. in order to avoid indiscreet curiosities. (to Durand-Ruel, from Deauville, Archives Durand-Ruel, ibidem).

July 1897, 14th: I congratulate Monet for the marriage of Jean Monet and Blanche Hoschedé. (from Deauville, Jean-Aubry pg. 122-123).

September 30th: I make some studies in Honfleur, the market, the port but navigation has declined there like everywhere. (to Louis, from Honfleur, Hôtel du Dauphin - in cat. E.B. 92 - Bio. by L. M).

1898 - The Durand-Ruel Gallery exhibits in New York 49 paintings. April: he arrives at Beaulieu-sur-mer, initially at the Commerce Hotel, then the Beaurivage Hotel. (to his brother Louis, ibidem).

August 8th: he dies at six o'clock in his house of Deauville - 8 rue Oliffe -. He has dated only one painting this year, La Baie des Fourmis à Beaulieu. / Bay of the Ants. in cat. E.B. 92 - Bio. by L. M.

August 12th : burial in Paris:

            You are requested to attend the Convoy, Service and Burials of Mr Louis Eugene Boudin, Painter, Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, deceased, fortified with the rites of the Church, on August 8th , 1898, at the age of seventy four, in Deauville (Calvados subdivision), which will take place in Paris, on Friday 12th of this month, at very precise midday, in the Holy Trinity church, his parish church. The meeting will be in the church. De profundis. On behalf of : his widowed sister Charles (Desirée), Mr Louis Léonard Boudin, Mr Onésime Boudin, his Brothers; Mr Achille Charles, Mrs Mr Albert Boudin, Mrs Juliette, Miss Louise Gallou, Messrs Jean and Herve Gallou, his Nephews, Nieces and of all his friends. The burial will be in the Saint-Vincent cemetery (Montmartre). Paris, 11 Vintimille Place. ibidem.

January 1899 - posthumous exhibition in the École des Beaux-Arts of 125 paintings, 99 watercolours and 57 pastels.

March 20th & 21st : 275 pieces, including 148 drawings, watercolours and pastel will be sold at auction in the Hotel Drouot; Degas will be one of the purchasers.

November 10th, 1899, Louis Boudin, brother of the painter, resident in Sainte-Adresse/Havre, following the intentions of the painter, makes a donation of an important set of studies and sketches to the city of le Havre.

 

 

 

* The " impressionist " term invented by the critic Louis Leroy regarding the painting of Monet " Impression, soleil levant "(rising sun - Musée Marmottan, Paris), very slightly reproduces the complexity of an artistic scene deprived of any doctrines, nourished by experiments quite as spontaneous as individual, influenced without the statement by photographic framing, upsetting the laws of painting in a mixture of open air and studio work thanks to the easy use of the colour in the zinc tubes. When it exists, the unity of the group is achieved not against the Salon but against the academic spirit. The Salon is both a foil for the group and his contrary .../. Alain Tapié Chief Curator of the MBA of Caen, Peindre en Normandie XIX^e et XX^e siècles pg XVIII.

* Louis-Alexandre Dubourg (1825-1891) born and deceased in Honfleur. Pupil of the painters Gustave Hamelin and Léon Cogniet. L-A. Dubourg does not want " to make a career " he participates in the official shows of Paris, but the capital he runs away with a constant care. A-M Bergeret-Gourbin. He exhibited at the Paris Show from 1859 to 1880 portraits, sights and some scenes. On May 3rd, 1861, Boudin writes to his brother Louis : Hamelin also had his two drawings rejected .../. Dubourg is the one of our compatriots who appears in the Show. Jean Aubry. In June 1878 he exhibits : the haymaking around Pont-l'Évêque (n.793 in the catalogue). ... / He can express the gray light of his birthplace which he never left. E.B./G.

His pictorial work is interesting. The portraits made with sharpness, are worthy of his first Master Hamelin. The works (paintings, watercolours and drawings), partially preserved by the Museum, evoke the Honfleur’s life with its fishermen, the crowd in its Sunday best on the pier or the beach. Spontaneous, quickly wash drawn, looking like those of Eugène Boudin, the watercolours make live again Honfleur and its small professions with a nervous line and give a wide part to the study of the light..../. Anne-Marie Bergeret-Gourbin - Chief Curator of the Eugène Boudin Museum. in the catalogue of the museum.

The Eugene Boudin Museum preserves 159 works, among which the sea baths at Honfleur, by Dubourg who was the founder, in April 1868, of the first municipal museum then named Musée Artistique de Honfleur which will count some 50 works; one of Boudin, four of Gustave Hamelin which are installed in the wedding room of the Town hall, which opened on April 25, 1869, with a lending of the Museum of Rouen and local collectors.

As a friend of Eugene Boudin and witness at his marriage, L-A. Dubourg will also be interested in the work of Claude Monet as this letter dated February 2nd, 1867 addressed to Eugene Boudin, testifies :    Monet is always working here on enormous paintings, where one can find remarkable qualities, but that I consider however inferior or less successful than the famous "Dress" which was a success I understand and is deserved. One work is a painting of almost three meters in height over a width in direct proportion: the figures are a little smaller than life, they are women in formal dress gathering flowers in a garden (Femmes au jardin Paris, Musée d'Orsay), painting started from nature and in the open air. There are qualities, but the effect seems to me a little insignificant undoubtedly because of the lack of opposition, for the colour is vigorous. He also undertakes a large seascape but it is not yet enough advanced to be judged. He also made rather successful effects of snow. The poor chap would be hard put to know what occurs in the studios: he asks me every day if I have had news of you. If you could let him know how you are doing, he will be really pleased, he entrusted me to give you his regards and get some information from you. A. Dubourg. in Jean-Aubry 77 pg 62. (Ill) le repas à Saint-Siméon. / meal time, detail.