The Beach at Dinard 1907

Clarence Gagnon created this scene of figures on the beach at Dinard, France, with what looks like short, loaded brushstrokes of oil paint. You can almost feel the artist trying to capture the light as it flickers on the water and shimmers on the sand. I can imagine Gagnon standing there, squinting in the sun, trying to capture the scene, but it's not just a straight depiction. Instead, it’s about how the beach *felt*. See how he’s used dabs of vibrant yellow to evoke the warmth of the sand? And those thick strokes of deep blue, they’re not just water, they convey the cool, vastness of the sea. I am especially drawn to the figure with the parasol. The brushstrokes are almost like a blur, giving a sense of movement and immediacy. To me, it is as if Gagnon is talking to the French Impressionists, all those painters concerned with light and modern life. It's like they’re all on a visual conference call, sharing ideas, and inspiring each other.