Henri Edmond Cross – Before the Storm (The Bather), 1907-08 Sotheby’s

Here we observe a coastal scene rendered in a pointillist technique. The composition is divided into three distinct horizontal bands: the sky, the sea, and the shoreline. The upper portion is dominated by a turbulent sky, built up from countless small dots of grey, blue, yellow, and lavender. These colors blend optically to suggest an impending storm, conveying a sense of atmospheric pressure and foreboding.
The middle band depicts the water, which appears relatively calm in contrast to the agitated sky above. The artist utilized blues and greens, punctuated with touches of yellow and purple, to create a shimmering effect on the surface. A distant promontory or island is visible on the left side of the frame, rendered in warm ochres and yellows, providing a visual anchor within the expanse of water.
The lower third of the painting focuses on the shoreline. A solitary female figure lies prone on the sand, her body defined by delicate curves and pale tones that contrast with the surrounding earth. Her posture suggests relaxation or perhaps vulnerability, as she seems to be absorbed in the natural environment. To her right, a small cluster of beach grasses adds texture and detail to the foreground.
The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation amidst an impending change. The pointillist application of paint creates a vibrant luminosity, while the contrast between the tranquil water and the stormy sky introduces a subtle tension. The lone figure on the beach seems both connected to and isolated from her surroundings, evoking themes of solitude, natures power, and the fleeting beauty of a moment before a storm breaks. There is an underlying sense of melancholy or introspection suggested by the solitary figure and the dramatic atmospheric conditions.