On the Beach - At Berneval (Sur la plage - a Berneval)

Auguste Renoir

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of figures on a beach. The painting depicts two figures sitting on a shore, with their backs turned, observing a group of smaller figures near or in the water. The figures sitting by the shore are drawn with a loose, flowing style, adding to the casual and relaxed atmosphere of the scene. The light, sketch-like quality of the outlines and shading suggests a study of leisure and tranquility near water.