With a scene of peaceful calm and luminous atmosphere, Bricher astutely leads the viewer of this painting to a gentle day on the New England coast. The soft haze bathing the upper half of the canvas accents the massive promontory and the beautiful foreground vignette of working boats at their dock.
The rare prominence, for a Bricher painting, of the foreground composition with the well defined vessels and a lone figure sitting on the overturned dory, greatly enhance the appeal of this work. Note the bright accent of sunlight on the hulls and sails and the reflections rippling across the water. Combined with Bricher's harmonious coloration it becomes a convincing rendering of the warm sensations of summer.
Bricher, as this canvas so strongly attests, helped define the luminous school that was fundamentally devoted to the picturing of light and air. He strongly influenced American marine painting and helped produce some of its finest moments.
