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The Beach

Nielson Park, Sydney, NSW

Situated in the elite eastern suburbs the beach setting represented in this image is so "classy" that is not identified as a beach, but as a park. Nestled unobtrusively on the harbour foreshores and surrounded by the mansions of Vaucluse, the beach attracted local residents and families who preferred the private location and gentler waters of a harbour beach and adjacent shady park. These zones of grass and beach are separated by the white railing fence, which clearly divides the image into foreground and background.

Centred and close up in the foreground, a group of two women and (we may assume) their children are arranged horizontally across the space. They are classified as members of the emergent beach culture as evidenced by their attributes. Each member of the group wears the 'modern' knitted bathers and the bathing caps worn by the women indicate their penchant for swimming and total immersion in the water, but not at the expense of their hairdos. Also, the cape-like garments worn by the woman on the right of frame and young girl in the middle seem designed specifically for drying and warming after swimming. Are we witnessing some of the first beach fashions?

Behind this friendly group who engage us with their smiles and relaxed poses as they sit on the sand, are several other groups of people who interact with the beach in their own way. The man to the left of frame provides an interesting contrast to the women and children. Dressed formally in a suit, but reclining directly upon the sand, it appears that he has not come to swim but perhaps to enjoy a break from work or business and to enjoy the vista of the beach and the connection with nature it offers. Many believed in the curative powers of the sun and salt water before long-term effects such as dry wrinkled skin and (more seriously) melanoma became widely known.

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