Eugène Boudin (1824 - 1898) Study of Breton Women,... Lot 4

Eugène Boudin (1824 - 1898) Study of Breton Women, 1858-1862 Oil on canvas Signed lower left: E. Boudin 22 x 34.3 cm Estimate : 10 000 / 15 000€ Bibliography R. Schmit, Eugène Boudin 1824- 1898, Vol I, Paris, 1973, no. 201, reproduced p. 64 This work is listed by the Galerie Brame et Lorenceau in its Eugène Boudin Archives Brittany is a region that fascinated many French artists in the second half of the 19th century. Described as a wildly exotic land by some, appreciated by others for the preservation of its culture, it was at the centre of a well-documented movement of rediscovery. Besides Normandy, Brittany was certainly the territory most represented in Boudin's work; between 1855 and his death in 1898, he made more than twenty visits during which he reproduced the coastline and picturesque scenes of life with an enthusiasm that is perceptible in the correspondence that he exchanged with those close to him, in particular with his brother Louis. This work represents, in a rocky landscape and against a green sky, four Breton peasant women whose costumes differ only in the colour of their aprons and petticoats, which vary from orange to pale pink and yellow. The slight modulation of the poses gives the impression that the artist would have turned around his model before juxtaposing his figures next to each other in order to reproduce the image of their costume from every possible angle. While many drawings of regional costumes made by the artist during his excursions are known, few painted works are recorded. Among these, we can mention for example the studies in which E. Boudin represents Breton women from Quimper and Douarnenez at work, wearing ultramarine blue caps. In the case of our study, the costume represented does not allow us to associate it with certainty to a precise locality, all these women wear black clothes and aprons. The presence of coloured embroidery on the gorgerin and the straps, the white flounce coming out of the bodices on the back and the wearing of the headdress which replaces the usual bonnet suggest that it could be a Sunday celebration. The shape of the headdress as well as the embroidery decorating the bodice of the costumes can be compared to those known from the surroundings of Bénodet and Melgven, communes of the south of Finistère, around 1860. Expert : Cabinet Brame et Lorenceau This lot has been entrusted to us by an extra-community seller and presented as a temporary import. The successful bidder will have to pay the VAT applicable at the rate in force in addition to the auction in the country of final importation.