Beach Carnival

An entirely imaginary scene. It is viewed from a certain height above the sea, which is bathed in a warm light. The interior wooded area is very dark by comparison but seems to make the occasional houses, the tent-like huts on the beach and the scattered people all the more jewel-like. The picture is full of Dad’s favourite little themes: towels, dogs, tents, a fire and of course all the quirky characters. There is something dream-like about the whole scene.

In Beach Carnival we see a scene painted from the Artist's imagination, depicted from a typically impossible viewpoint in the sky over the water. This was a favoured technique as it allowed him to depict the groups of people from above, separating them into individuals, and here we see figures fishing, paddling, sunbathing, sailing and picnicking. The scene glows with a soft summer light and the beach huts, sails, bell tent and house gables form a pattern which is enlivened by the diminutive figures scattered around.