On the Beach at Trouville, 1871 by Claude Monet

Painted while on holiday with Boudin, this picture depicts both Canlille and Boudin's wife on the beach at the popular French tourist spot of Trouville. Monet's choice of the subject again reflects his desire to record modern scenes. He chose to show this familiar resort in an untraditional way.

Firstly the viewer is thrust in very close to the two women. The result is to make the viewer slightly uncomfortable as if he were invading an intimate scene. This discomfort is furthered by the relationship between the two women. The central space between them is empty; neither woman acknowledges the presence of the other. Their features are not detailed, so there is an air of anonymity about them. In the background, other tourists can be seen, but devoid of identifiable features. This, combined with the quick, heavy brushstrokes, adds to the spontaneity of the painting. This is a typical work where Monet is advocating the plein-air technique of painting.