'A Sunday by the Sea', antique oil painting by Clairin

Georges Clairin was a French artist and illustrator of the Belle Epoque. He was something of a socialite, and many of his paintings are revered for conveying the glamour of Parisian high society of the late 19th Century.

The present oil on canvas painting is a large work by Clairin, conveying a scene of a group of glamorously-dressed couples enjoying a windy day by the seaside. The lush colour palette used, including pink, lilac, turquoise, burgundy and grey, is a classic feature of Clairin's painting, as is his artful depiction of clothing and fabric.

Here, the way the figures' clothes are shown moving in the wind is particularly vivid and engaging, and gives the scene a certain playful charm: the way the lady and gentleman hold on to their hats, for example, lends the piece a subtle sense of humour.

The painting is signed and dated 'G. Clairin / 1888' to the lower left, and is housed in a giltwood frame.

Canvas- Height 91cm, width 131.5cm
Frame- Height 119cm, width 158cm, depth 12cm