Beach at Del Mar 1931

Charles Reiffel created this canvas, "Beach at Del Mar," which captures a moment of leisure in the early 20th century. Reiffel, who faced discrimination due to his German heritage during World War I, turned to landscapes as a form of expression, perhaps seeking solace in the natural world. Painted with broad brushstrokes, the scene features a beach with figures wading in the surf. The parasol and bright clothing hints at the growing middle class and their increasing access to leisure time, yet the figures themselves are indistinct, almost anonymous. The ocean, rendered in dynamic shades of green and white, dominates the composition. Reiffel's impressionistic style softens any social commentary, focusing instead on the sensory experience of the beach. The painting doesn't overtly challenge societal norms but invites viewers to reflect on the simple pleasures of life. In its quiet way, the artwork becomes a meditation on escape and the search for peace during turbulent times.