10 Beach Scenes in Art for the Dog Days of Summer
DailyArt Magazine presents a curated list of ten artworks depicting beaches, from Pablo Picasso's 'Two Women Running on the Beach (The Race)' (1922) to Martin Parr's photograph from 'The Last Resort' series (1983–1986). The selection spans from Claude Monet's 'The Beach at Trouville' (1870) to Eric Fischl's 'Scenes From Late Paradise – The Parade' (2006). Other featured works include David Cox's 'Rhyl Sands' (c. 1854), Edgar Degas's 'Beach Scene' (1869–1870), Paul Gauguin's 'The Beach at Dieppe' (1885), Henri Matisse's 'Joy of Life' (1905–1906), Winslow Homer's 'Eagle Head, Manchester, Massachusetts (High Tide)' (1870), and James Ensor's 'The Baths at Ostend' (1890). The article connects the 'dog days' (July 3 to August 11) to the star Sirius and Hellenic astrology, and explores themes of joy, style, space, relaxation, surprise, pleasure, children, crowds, reality, and desperation in beach imagery.
Key facts
- The dog days occur between July 3 and August 11.
- The term 'dog days' originates from the star Sirius, known as the Dog Star.
- Pablo Picasso's 'Two Women Running on the Beach (The Race)' was painted in 1922.
- Picasso's painting was used as the curtain for the ballet 'Le Train Bleu' premiered June 20, 1924.
- Claude Monet's 'The Beach at Trouville' (1870) has sand grains stuck to the paint.
- David Cox painted 'Rhyl Sands' around 1854 at age 71.
- Edgar Degas's 'Beach Scene' (1869–1870) shows a woman having her hair combed.
- Paul Gauguin's 'The Beach at Dieppe' (1885) depicts a chilly beach in France.
- Henri Matisse's 'Joy of Life' (1905–1906) was bought by Gertrude Stein.
- Winslow Homer's 'Eagle Head, Manchester, Massachusetts (High Tide)' (1870) was his most daring subject.
- James Ensor's 'The Baths at Ostend' (1890) is a satirical crowded beach scene.
- Eric Fischl's 'Scenes From Late Paradise – The Parade' (2006) shows imperfect beach bodies.
- Martin Parr's 'The Last Resort' series (1983–1986) documents New Brighton, Liverpool.
- The Last Resort depicts a seaside resort in economic decline.
Entities
Artists
- Pablo Picasso
- Claude Monet
- David Cox
- Edgar Degas
- Paul Gauguin
- Henri Matisse
- Winslow Homer
- James Ensor
- Eric Fischl
- Martin Parr
- Eugene Boudin
- Jean Cocteau
- Coco Chanel
- Gertrude Stein
- Paul Cézanne
- Apollinaire
- Camille Monet
- Madame Boudin
- Mette-Sophie Gad
- Darius Milhaud
Institutions
- Musée Picasso
- National Gallery, London
- Tate, London
- Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
- Barnes Foundation
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Gent
- Ballets Russes
- Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
- DailyArt Magazine
- Tate
- Museum voor Schone Kunsten
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Trouville
- Rhyl
- Dieppe
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- Philadelphia
- PA
- USA
- Manchester
- Massachusetts
- New York City
- NY
- Ostend
- Belgium
- New Brighton
- Liverpool
- UK
- England
- Northern Hemisphere
- Italy
- London
- United Kingdom