Object Image

The Beach at Villerville, Normandy

Many of the Swedish artists who went to France made their way to Normandy. They were influenced by the style of painting represented by Charles-François Daubigny. The wind, the skies and the tide provided forever new painterly challenges. In their striving for realism, they sought subjects such as the dry seabed with seaweed, as though trying to distance themselves from anything that could be perceived as beauty. In their seascapes, the artists often portrayed people gathering mussels. This task was both harsh and hazardous. It was often performed by women and children.

Credit: Donated 1941 by Thorsten Laurin through Nationalmusei Vänner...

Executed probably 1878
Oil on canvas
45.5 x 74.5cm
NM 4479
Image and text © Nationalmuseum Sweden, 2019

Where you'll find this

Nationalmuseum Sweden
Permanent collection