Two 1890s Young Women Wading at the Beach

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Description

A woman must remain fashionable, even when at the beach. This late 19th-century gouache and watercolor piece, likely created between … Read more A woman must remain fashionable, even when at the beach. This late 19th-century gouache and watercolor piece, likely created between 1885 and 1900, depicts two lively young women in fashionable seaside attire of the era. They’re standing in shallow water, in what would be called a "genre scene" focusing on modern leisure. Although wading in the surf, the women are wearing elaborate hats and carrying parasols, which were essential for maintaining the alabaster complexion favored at the time.
The aesthetic style frame is as noteworthy as the art itself. It features hand-painted cherry blossoms (the Japonisme influence), which was a major trend in Western art during the late 1800s. The presence of the hand-painted frame suggests this was a high-end decorative object, intended to be a complete artistic "statement" for a Victorian home.
Signature/Maker’s mark: Unknown monogram (photo #7)
Other dimensions: unframed artwork 10.5”w x 14”h See less