Frank Myers Boggs was an American artist born in Springfield, Ohio in 1855, who spent much of his career in France. He was noted for his atmospheric paintings of cityscapes and landscapes, capturing the essence of both the urban and rural environments with a particular emphasis on the effects of light and atmosphere.
Boggs was initially trained at the National Academy of Design in New York but moved to Paris to further his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts under Jean-Léon Gérôme, a prominent French painter and teacher known for his rigorous academic style. This education significantly influenced Boggs' approach to painting, integrating the French academic precision with his own American sensibilities.
His work often featured scenes from Paris and various French seaports such as Trouville and Honfleur, displaying a keen interest in the interaction of light with water and architecture. He was particularly adept at depicting rainy cityscapes where reflections and the play of light on wet surfaces added a lyrical quality to his work. Boggs' palette was typically subdued, using a range of grays and blues to evoke mood and atmosphere.
Throughout his career, Boggs exhibited his works in both France and the United States. He was well-received in Paris, where he participated in the Salon, an official art exhibition of the Académie des Beaux-Arts, and was awarded several medals and honors. His works were also shown in the United States, including at the National Academy of Design and the Boston Art Club, helping to establish his reputation on both sides of the Atlantic.
Boggs' contribution to art is significant in the way he merged American and French artistic traditions, bringing a transatlantic perspective to his picturesque and evocative scenes. His paintings continue to be appreciated for their unique blend of realism and impressionistic sensitivity to light and atmosphere.
Click here to read Boggs’ full bio (in French only) on Wikipedia.
TODAY: The Leroy tower still exists, located close to the castle.
Ouistreham
Ouistreham lies very close to Caen, and can be considered it’s port town; This is the town which has the ferry to the UK.
These were all the paintings that Boggs made in Caen and nearby Ouistreham that we could find.