Resting by the Shore, private collection Wilhelm Kotarbiński (1849-1922)

The composition presents a scene of repose set against a coastal backdrop. Two figures dominate the foreground; one seated and holding a lyre, the other reclining in what appears to be sleep or deep relaxation. The seated figure is draped in classical attire, suggesting an association with mythology or antiquity. A garland adorns their head, further reinforcing this connection. The reclining individual wears a simpler garment, contributing to a visual distinction between the two characters.
The setting is framed by a stone wall overgrown with roses and climbing plants, creating a sense of enclosure and seclusion. Beyond the wall, the sea stretches out under a luminous sky, where a full moon casts a silvery glow upon the waters surface. The horizon line is punctuated by dark foliage, likely cypress trees, which add depth to the landscape. Waves break gently on the shore in the distance, their movement subtly suggested through brushwork and tonal variations.
The artist’s use of light is particularly noteworthy. The moonlit sky provides a cool, ethereal illumination that contrasts with the warmer tones used for the figures and foliage within the walled garden. This contrast draws attention to the central subjects while simultaneously establishing a sense of distance between them and the wider world.
Several subtexts emerge from this arrangement. The lyre held by the seated figure implies music and poetry, suggesting an atmosphere of artistic creation or contemplation. The reclining individual’s state of repose could symbolize surrender, vulnerability, or perhaps even death – a common theme in classical art. The roses, frequently associated with love and beauty, add a layer of romanticism to the scene.
The walled garden itself functions as a symbolic space – a protected haven from external forces. It suggests a retreat into a private world, where artistic inspiration and personal reflection can flourish. The contrast between this enclosed space and the vastness of the sea evokes a tension between intimacy and infinity, suggesting themes of longing, memory, or the passage of time. Overall, the painting conveys a mood of quiet melancholy and nostalgic beauty, inviting contemplation on the nature of art, love, and mortality.