Figures on the Beach

• Auguste Renoir (1841–1919)
• 1890
• Oil on canvas
• Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
• (1975.1.198)

This sunlit scene captures the simple pleasures of summer on the southern coast of France. The name Côte d’Azur—literally “blue coast”— combines azur, the vivid blue of the Mediterranean, with côte, meaning shore. Here, varied shades of blue spread across sky, sea, and land, blending into a unified evocation of the azure coast. Renoir’s characteristically vibrant palette and light, delicate brushwork bring the seaside view to life with freshness and energy.