(1824-1898) French marine and landscape painter. The mentor of Claude Monet, he was one of the first to embrace the ‘plein air’ style of painting outdoors which would become the hallmark of the Impressionists. Rare, superb content A.L.S. ‘E. Boudin’ 1p. 8vo., Paris, Jan. 21, 1895, to his gallerist Paul Detrimont, the influential art dealer who, with Durand-Ruel, established the market for modernism. Boudin compliments the work of his mentor, Barbizon painter Constant Tryon, in part: ‘…The painting which you present to me, peasant in a blue blouse with a white cow in stormy weather, canvas size 20, for my opinion, contains a very authentic ray of the last era of my dear master. The landscape, the outline of the animal, the color and light of the painting appeals to me and is absolutely pure…There is…in this time that I helped Troyon in some of his works…if this information is of use to you [and] if you are interested in you having it…’. For the bulk of his career Troyon (1810-1865) painted landscapes, turning to painting animals around 1848 after a trip to The Netherlands. Greatly influenced by the works of Albert Cuyp and Paulus Potters, Tyron focused on animals, which became his métier. It was Troyon who recommended Boudin, as yet untrained, for a three-year study grant in 1850 which enabled him to continue his work in Paris. Of Boudin Troyon said: ‘I can say from the bottom of my heart that Boudin is not only destined to be a great painter, but can already be considered on a level with the young painters of our new school’. Boudin also worked with Troyon in the last years of Troyon’s life when he was in Normandy painting seascapes. The painting Boudin mentions in this fine letter is most certainly Troyon’s exquisite work ‘The Cowherd’ [n.d.]. Fine condition.