Artwork
The Beach at Saint-Jacut
The Beach at Saint-Jacut is a drawing by Édouard Vuillard. It dates from 1909 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Beach at Saint-Jacut is a drawing by Édouard Vuillard, created during his 1909 summer stay in the French coastal town of Saint-Jacut de la Mer. The work captures a serene beach scene, characterized by a lone figure, pale sand, and a harmonious blend of sea and sky.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing focuses on a solitary woman in a gray dress, seated near the water's edge. The monochromatic attire of the subject blends seamlessly with the expansive, similarly toned sky, conveying a sense of solitude and integration with the natural environment.
Technique & Style
Vuillard's emphasis lies in capturing the atmosphere of the scene rather than detailing the location. The drawing's subdued palette and gentle depiction suggest an intent to evoke the feeling of being present in the serene, remote beach setting.
History & Provenance
Created in 1909, the drawing was produced during Vuillard's summer residency in Saint-Jacut de la Mer, where he shared accommodations with fellow artists and actively sketched and painted the local seascape.
Context
This work reflects Vuillard's interest in everyday, intimate scenes, characteristic of his broader artistic approach. The piece can be contextualized within the early 20th-century French artistic movements that valued capturing modern life and natural landscapes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Édouard Vuillard (French: ; 11 November 1868 – 21 June 1940) was a French painter, decorative artist, and printmaker.
