At the Seaside 1905

Edward Henry Potthast made this painting, At the Seaside, using brushes loaded with thick paint. The way he works the surface is so physical, the gestural marks of the brush almost sculpt the forms. I am drawn to the area where the figures meet the water. Look closely and you’ll see how the wet sand is rendered with horizontal strokes of pale ochre and grey. This band meets an area of brighter white that looks like foam, and then is interrupted by darker, vertical marks that represent the figures legs. The colour is modulated with strokes of blues and greens, making the sand look wet, and suggesting the way the water reflects the sky. It’s so direct, Potthast’s working on the painting, right there in front of you! Looking at this, I am reminded of paintings made by the impressionist painter, Berthe Morisot. Both artists shared an interest in depicting everyday life, and embracing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. It shows that art is about an ongoing conversation, and there are always new things to say.