“Stormy Day Bath Beach,” an artwork created circa 1888 by William Merritt Chase, is a captivating example of oil on panel, executed in the Impressionist style. This marina genre painting is held in a private collection, where it exemplifies Chase’s mastery in capturing light and atmosphere.
The artwork features a serene scene of a dock leading into a calm body of water, where two small, unoccupied boats are anchored near the foreground. Their reflections are subtly mirrored in the softly undulating water. Further into the distance, a few additional boats are visible, gently floating on the expansive water under an overcast sky, which hints at the impending storm. The muted palette, punctuated by the earthy tones of the dock and the boats, contributes to the tranquil yet anticipatory mood of the scene. The composition masterfully combines subtle details with broad, expressive brushstrokes, typical of the Impressionist movement, to evoke a sense of calm before the storm.
