This study of sea and sky was painted with bold sweeping brushstrokes by Constable during his honeymoon.
A tiny piece of shell in the paint confirms that Bonington was there, on the beach, being buffeted by the sea breeze as he painted this view.
Boudin painted the beach at Trouville as the idea of holidaying at the seaside was taking off. A sketchy jumble of people, chairs, dogs and parasols fills the canvas.
As in the Bonington, this canvas reveals its 'plein-air' origin by the grains of sand we can still see stuck in the paint.
We travel to the Dutch coast in this painting by Jacob Maris where a lone fisherman in the choppy waves hauls in a net.
The nurse combing the girl's hair on the beach reminds of another 'hair combing moment' painted by Degas.
