Artists on the Côte d'Opale
Towards the end of the 18th century, artists were attracted to the Channel coast, and "colonies" of painters worked around Boulogne and the villages of Etaples, Berck, and Wissant.

They held a romantic view of nature, and the simple life of the local fishermen in picturesque villages. They were attracted by the wide panoramas of the sea, the changing and often special quality of the light, and as time went on, by the innocent gaiety of the seaside holiday-makers.

Amongst them were English painters such as Joseph Turner (1775-1851), who worked around Calais when the fall of Napoleon and the end of England's wars with France after 1815 made this possible.

French artists such as Edouard Manet (1832-1883) painted many seascapes; Eugène Boudin (1824-1898) spent many long stays in Berck and Etaples.

The Côte d'Opale continued to attract notable artists in the 20th century: Albert Marquet (1875-1947), Albert Derain (1880-1954), and Jean Dubuffet whose abstract paintings in the 'sixties were inspired by the landscapes of the region.

Eugène Boudin: "la Canche à Etaples" (1886) at Château-musée, Boulogne.
Iso Ral: "Bal à Etaples" c.1900

Charles Roussel (1861-1936) : "Retour de Pêche au manquereau" - in Berck Municipal Museum

Places to visit:
Château-Musée, Boulogne
Musée d'Art Moderne de Lille - in Villeneuve d"Ascq
Musée Municipal, Berck

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Related background information
Regional Art Galleries - and Art MENU

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