On the Beach, Shinnecock 1895

"On the Beach, Shinnecock" is an 1895 watercolor by William Merritt Chase depicting two young girls playing on a beach. The painting captures a moment of childhood innocence and leisure, with the girls engaged in a simple game of building sandcastles. Chase’s signature style, influenced by Impressionism, utilizes loose brushstrokes and a light palette to capture the fleeting nature of light and shadow, creating a sense of atmosphere and movement. The painting is a charming example of Chase's talent for portraying everyday scenes with both realism and a touch of whimsy.