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Sea-Side Sketches - A Clam-Bake

William H. Redding

1873

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Genre Scene

Dominant colour

Sea-Side Sketches - A Clam-Bake is a 1873 ink by William H. Redding, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: William H. Redding
When & what style?: 1873 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This black-and-white drawing shows a rocky beach with people digging in the sand. One person is bent over, sorting clamshells into a pile. Others stand nearby with buckets and tools, while a few sit on the rocks. The ocean stretches out behind them, with small boats floating in the distance. The title at the bottom calls it a "clam-bake," which likely means they’re cooking clams dug from the shore. The style looks simple but detailed, focusing on everyday work. Next, check out how this was made using engraving.