The 4 P.M. Wave in Nice

The 4 P.M. Wave in Nice was inspired by a familiar sight on the French Riviera: the late-afternoon swell that transforms the usually calm Mediterranean into a powerful, rhythmic landscape. Returning to the Promenade des Anglais day after day, I became fascinated by this fleeting moment when the sea shifts character, the light grows warmer, and the beach takes on a completely different energy.

Rather than documenting a specific view, I reduced the composition to its essential elements: the force of the wave, the shifting blues of the Mediterranean, the horizon, and the small figures scattered along the shoreline. Seen from above, the beachgoers begin to resemble the iconic galets of Nice themselves, becoming part of the landscape.

The wave is the hero of the painting, built with a palette knife to communicate movement, texture and energy. The elongated shadows cast by the afternoon sun evoke the distinctive 4 p.m. light, while each figure suggests a different emotional response to the sea—relaxation, joy, anticipation, wonder or awe.

Painted in acrylic and mixed media, The 4 P.M. Wave in Nice is an original contemporary painting inspired by Nice, the French Riviera and the Mediterranean. This one-of-a-kind coastal landscape artwork celebrates the power of the sea through bold colour, simplified forms and a graphic visual language that has become central to my work.

Inspirations

Inspired by Nice at the height of summer, The 4 P.M. Wave in Nice captures the distinctive atmosphere of the French Riviera as the late-afternoon swell transforms the Mediterranean into a powerful, ever-changing landscape. Whether viewed from the Promenade des Anglais, Castel Beach or the Colline du Château, the beach becomes a choreography of light, movement and colour, where long shadows stretch across the iconic galets and the sea shifts into an intense electric blue.

The wave became the central character of the composition, bringing together the energy of the sea and the quiet rituals unfolding along the shoreline. As the afternoon wind rises, some beachgoers retreat while others are drawn toward the water, each responding differently to the changing conditions. This interplay between calm and movement, human scale and the immensity of the Mediterranean is what continues to inspire my work.

Through bold geometry, layered textures and a vibrant coastal palette, The 4 P.M. Wave in Nice celebrates one of the most recognizable yet fleeting moments of summer on the Côte d'Azur.

Inspired by Nice at the height of summer, The 4 P.M. Wave in Nice captures the distinctive atmosphere of the French Riviera as the late-afternoon swell transforms the Mediterranean into a powerful, ever-changing landscape. Whether viewed from the Promenade des Anglais, Castel Beach or the Colline du Château, the beach becomes a choreography of light, movement and colour, where long shadows stretch across the iconic galets and the sea shifts into an intense electric blue.

The wave became the central character of the composition, bringing together the energy of the sea and the quiet rituals unfolding along the shoreline. As the afternoon wind rises, some beachgoers retreat while others are drawn toward the water, each responding differently to the changing conditions. This interplay between calm and movement, human scale and the immensity of the Mediterranean is what continues to inspire my work.

Through bold geometry, layered textures and a vibrant coastal palette, The 4 P.M. Wave in Nice celebrates one of the most recognizable yet fleeting moments of summer on the Côte d'Azur.

Material & Features

• Original artwork
• Acrylic on canvas & collage
• 60 × 80 cm
• Gallery-wrapped canvas
• 2026
• Signed on the front
• Certificate of Authenticity included
• Worldwide shipping available upon request

• Original artwork
• Acrylic on canvas & collage
• 60 × 80 cm
• Gallery-wrapped canvas
• 2026
• Signed on the front
• Certificate of Authenticity included
• Worldwide shipping available upon request

Creative Process

For The 4 P.M. Wave in Nice, I began by gathering photographs, short videos and on-the-spot impressions of the beach in Nice, focusing on its vivid colours, shifting light and the energy of the late-afternoon sea. Back in the studio, I developed a composition that stripped away unnecessary details, emphasizing bold contrasts, simplified forms, flowing movement and the vibrant blues of the Mediterranean.

The sky, sea and beach were first painted in acrylic and oil on canvas, deliberately omitting the iconic pebbles to create a more graphic, timeless composition. Using a palette knife, I then sculpted the breaking wave to introduce texture, depth and a strong sense of movement.

On separate sheets of fine art paper, I hand-painted each sunbather and the red-hulled sailboat in acrylic, adding subtle highlights with oil marker. Every element was carefully cut by hand and arranged through collage until the composition felt balanced, before being permanently adhered to the canvas. This layered process creates depth, texture and a handcrafted finish while reinforcing the bold graphic language that defines my work.

For The 4 P.M. Wave in Nice, I began by gathering photographs, short videos and on-the-spot impressions of the beach in Nice, focusing on its vivid colours, shifting light and the energy of the late-afternoon sea. Back in the studio, I developed a composition that stripped away unnecessary details, emphasizing bold contrasts, simplified forms, flowing movement and the vibrant blues of the Mediterranean.

The sky, sea and beach were first painted in acrylic and oil on canvas, deliberately omitting the iconic pebbles to create a more graphic, timeless composition. Using a palette knife, I then sculpted the breaking wave to introduce texture, depth and a strong sense of movement.

On separate sheets of fine art paper, I hand-painted each sunbather and the red-hulled sailboat in acrylic, adding subtle highlights with oil marker. Every element was carefully cut by hand and arranged through collage until the composition felt balanced, before being permanently adhered to the canvas. This layered process creates depth, texture and a handcrafted finish while reinforcing the bold graphic language that defines my work.

Contact me for pricing, availability or commission inquiries.

Inquire about this painting