In honor of the first day of summer, we’re thinking about the beach! Here are 5 of our favorite beach-inspired art works, inspired by beaches from all over the world.
1. Sur La Plage – Edgar Degas
Dating back to the late 1800’s, Sur La Plage is an impressionist work that depicts a beach scene of a maid and a young girl lying on the sand along the ocean.
2. Women walking on the Beach – Joaquin Sorolla
This painting from 1906 shows artist Joaquin Sorolla’s wife and daughter walking along Valencia’s Mediterranean beach. Something unique about this painting is the effects of light from the sun reflecting on the white fabrics, which showcase Sorolla’s special ability to capture natural light in his work.
3. Pink Beach Club, Miami – Gray Malin
A more modern – but absolute fan favorite – beach artwork comes from photographer Gray Malin. This photo instantly transforms you to the colorful umbrellas along South Beach. Gray Malin shoots his photographers in doorless helicopters, which hover over his subjects. One look on his website and you’ll get lost in the appeal of the sun, sand and water!
4. The Beach at Saint-Adresse – Claude Monet
Even cloudy beach days can be beautiful. This piece was inspired by Monet’s summer of 1867, spent at his aunt’s house in Normandy. The piece represents the early days of Monet’s immense talent, and the start of the impressionist movement.
5. The Underwave off Kanagawa – Katsushika Hokusai
When we stare at this print we can actually hear the sounds of the ocean waves crashing. This piece is a woodblock print that has come to be one of the most recognizable works of Japanese art. Created in the early 1800’s, this piece is suspected by some to be a tsunami, while others believe it to be a large rogue wave. Mount Fuji can be seen in the background.
Are you hitting the beach this weekend? Show us by tagging us in your photo or story on Instagram!