Description:
Gustave Lannes (1858-1923) was a member of the Société des Artistes Français since 1909, and his active salon activity at the Grand Palais took place between 1908-1914 and 1920-1922. In the artist’s artistic output, coastal and river landscapes predominate, from which we will take a closer look at the work “On the Coast”.

Description of the painting:
On the open space of the foreground, a sandy shore can be seen, merging into a blue marine water. Between these zones there is no clear division. Water cutting into dry land creates streams and water pools, characteristic of ebb. They take the shape of a sloping and S-shaped form, occupying the left side of the main axis of the painting. On the right side, in the center of the canvas, two figures, perhaps mother and daughter, walk side by side. They are turned away from the viewer. The taller one is dressed in a red cloak, long dark skirt and white cap. On her right arm she carries a long stick ending with black material. This brings to mind a pole with a double black pennant, which is used to mark nets set up on coastal waters. Similarly, objects can be seen to the left and right of the depicted figures, which may be preparing them before the tide or collecting them after the ebb.

On the horizon, several yachts and a steamship are sailing, marked by their dark smoke streak in the sky. The background for the composition is heavy cumulus clouds, passing higher into the piled clouds above the foreground. Their careful execution emphasizes the contrast of light and shade, providing a counterweight to the sketchily treated lower part of the painting, painted with quick brushstrokes.