Welcome to the beach!

Paul Signac, French (1863-1935). Portrieux, The Bathing Cabins, Opus 185 (Beach of the Countess), 1888. Oil on canvas. Gift of Henry W. and Marion H. Bloch, 2015.13.23.

Imagine yourself sitting in the sand:

What does it smell like?

What do you see?

Is it hot outside or is there a nice breeze?

 

Listen to what it might sound like:

 

Why so many dots?

Pointillism is a technique where artists use little dots of colors next to each other but do not mix them together. Up close, this painting looks like a jumble of color.

Set a timer for one minute and focus on one piece of the painting

How many colors can you see?

What colors do you notice that surprise you?

Detail: Paul Signac, French (1863-1935). Portrieux, The Bathing Cabins, Opus 185 (Beach of the Countess), 1888. Oil on canvas. Gift of Henry W. and Marion H. Bloch, 2015.13.23.

 

Now take a big step back.

How does the painting change when you step back?

Do you see anything new?

Watch the same scene change over the course of the day!

 

How does the beach in the video look different than in Signac’s painting?

What has changed from 1888 to today?

“Nature is always the same, and yet its appearance is always changing.”
—Paul Cezanne