The Dunes at Knokke 1894

Camille Pissarro made ‘The Dunes at Knokke’ with oil on canvas. This landscape depicts a scene from Knokke, a coastal town in Belgium that attracted artists in the late 19th century. Pissarro, a key figure in the Impressionist movement, captures the essence of this location through his distinctive style. The scene is presented with a social and cultural context that reflects the changing dynamics of leisure and tourism during this period. The painting's visual codes reveal much about its time. The loose brushstrokes and emphasis on light and atmosphere are typical of Impressionism, a movement that sought to capture fleeting moments and subjective experiences. The choice of a coastal landscape reflects the growing popularity of seaside resorts as destinations for recreation and relaxation among the burgeoning middle class. To fully appreciate ‘The Dunes at Knokke’, historians delve into the social, economic, and cultural forces that shaped its creation. By consulting historical documents, letters, and period accounts, we gain insight into the role of art and how it reflects broader transformations of society.