The artwork titled “Houses by the Seaside” was created by the artist Edgar Degas in 1869. This piece is rendered in pastel and is classified within the Impressionism movement. The genre of the artwork is landscape, and it currently resides at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France. The composition presents a tranquil maritime environment, characteristic of the Impressionists’ fascination with natural light and color.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a serene coastal scene under a broad sky. The palette is comprised of muted earth tones juxtaposed against a subdued blue sky, hinting at the characteristic Impressionist preoccupation with the play of natural light. On the right, one can observe gentle elevations, possibly cliffs, with buildings perched atop or nestled at their feet. These structures are loosely defined, allowing the viewer’s eye to meander and fill in the details. The vast sky occupies a significant portion of the composition, suggesting the openness and expansive atmosphere of the seaside.
The foreground features a beach, where the tide appears low, revealing wet sand that reflects the sky above, adding a sense of moisture and texture. Degas has masterfully captured the transient nature of light, rendering a moment that feels both ephemeral and timeless. The sublime quality of the scene evokes a contemplative mood, inviting the onlooker to partake in the still and silent beauty that the artist has immortalized through his deft use of pastels. The impressionist quality of “Houses by the Seaside” lies in its ability to suggest form and detail with minimal, evocative strokes, embodying the movement’s innovative approach to visual perception.
