Within Paul-Michel Dupuy's varied output, people - especially women and children - dominate the foreground as prime subjects while the settings play important in setting the mood of the piece. In this fine example of leisure at the beach, a mother watches as her children are interacting and reading along with a governess at the shore in Biarritz, along the Bay of Biscay in southwestern France.
The waters off Biarritz provided lifetimes of economic opportunity, first as a premier whaling port and then as a vacation getaway for Europe's Royal Families and well-to-do society. The water itself was reputed in the 19TH Century to possess healing and therapeutic properties. The lighthearted sense of the women and children, all comfortably dressed and heads covered with hats, are enjoying their day at the beach.
