If you have seen Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief – “graced” by an unforgettable performance by the lovely Grace Kelly – then you have seen The Beach at Nice. The backdrop of stately old hotels, the sweep of pebbled beach, the festive beach cabanas, the dancing sailboats, and above all the unmistakable velvet waters of the Cote d’Azur, combine to make this a perfect subject for my Robert Girrard Impressionist style.
When I set up my easel to attempt to capture the grandeur and excitement of The Beach at Nice, my challenge was to convey the animation of the water – which seems like liquid crystal, alive with light and motion – and of the bathers on the shore.
I used bold strokes to convey the vibrant colors of the flags and beach cabanas. The pristine white sailboats dance on the waves, making the perfect accent to suggest the vibrant movement of the water. The wispy clouds, resembling sailboats in the sky, heighten the sense of a blustery afternoon. The Beach at Nice is crowded with bathers; the almost pointillist application of colors works to dramatize the action. Anyone who enjoys sea breeze, sand, and water will surely relish their time at The Beach at Nice.
