Beach Scene
- Original dimensions
- 82.9 x 47.5 cm
- Museum
- Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery
- Year
- 1876
Historical context
Created in 1876, in the artistic capital of Paris, the painting "Beach Scene" perfectly fits into the emerging impressionist movement. At that time, Degas, influenced by light and movement, captures a fleeting moment of a lively beach. This canvas , currently exhibited at the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery in Dublin, measures 82.9 x 47.5 cm and reflects a time when the definition of art was being reinvented.
Place in the artist's career
"Beach Scene" represents a turning point in the career of Edgar Degas . At this time, the artist explores the themes of everyday life more freely. Alongside other works like "The Dancer" and "The Dance Class," this painting shows the evolution of his technique, moving from rigid poses to dynamic scenes imbued with light.
Anecdote
"Light must not only be seen, it must be felt," would have confided Edgar Degas to a friend during his explorations of Parisian life. It is in the gentle sound of the waves and the murmur of children that the idea for this masterpiece was born; a reminiscence of a sweet summer morning, capturing not only the image but the very essence of escape.
Major exhibitions
third impressionist exhibition