This magnificent beach scene near Le Havre, where the artist grew up, was one of two landscapes that launched Monet's career when exhibited in Paris at the 1865 Salon, the vast, well-attended survey of contemporary art sponsored by the French government. Committed to painting out-of-doors on the spot, Monet worked up the composition on portable-sized canvases. Most impressive is Monet's handling of the muddy beach at low tide, with muted silvery tones reflected from the low-hanging clouds stretching away as far as the eye can see. The rocks at the right, described with such brisk creative brushwork, are especially indicative of the unique talents that would result in Monet's role as a founder of Impressionism.

At the 1865 Salon, Monet's signature was confused by some viewers with that of the controversial Edouard Manet. The older artist's curiosity about compliments for a painting that he had not painted led him to seek out Monet, thus initiating one of the richest dialogues ever between great painters.

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