Bonnard was essentially a colourist, and this is borne out in the palette of widely varying hues that he employs to describe the expanses of sea and sky in this canvas. Enveloped by its surroundings and totally subservient to them, a ship has been placed as the focal point of the composition. However it is the colour scheme of the work, including the bold white expanse of beach in the foreground, that holds the viewer's attention. It is possible that this work was executed during the time Bonnard spent at Arcachon in 1930 and 1931.