Princess Pauline Metternich (1836–1921) on the Beach

Eugène Boudin

ca. 1865–67 · Oil on cardboard, laid down on wood · European Paintings

Pauline Metternich, wife of the Austrian ambassador at the court of Napoleon III, was a famously homely yet chic style icon known for her sense of wit; she was said to have referred to herself as "the fashion monkey." Boudin achieved success with his scenes of stylishly dressed families taking the sea air at Trouville and other beach resorts, and apart from Empress Eugénie, no woman would have aroused more interest on the beach than her friend Princess Metternich.

Artist

Eugène Boudin

Date

ca. 1865–67

Medium

Oil on cardboard, laid down on wood

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

The Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Collection, Gift of Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg, 1999, Bequest of Walter H. Annenberg, 2002