Art for Summer · 10 great summer-related artworks

Our personal tribute to summer solstice: 10 works of art that, in one way or another, convey the essence of summer. Enjoy them.

WINSLOW HOMER: “SUMMER NIGHT” – 1890
Winslow Homer painted “Summer Night” – one of his most recognizable works- when he was living in a small coastal town in New England. Two girls dance to the sound of the waves under the light of an invisible full moon, which, however, does not illuminate the spectral figures that, silhouetted against the shimmering ocean, watch the young women. The work is a sensational night scene that captures the magic and enchantment of a summer night.

ANDREAS GURSKY: “BEACH” – 2005
Gursky -one of the most sought after photographers of our time- is known for his views taken from an elevated vantage point. In this beach scene the photographer presents a chaotic universe of sand/space and towels/planets, a plethora of umbrellas and after-sun bottles with no directions or landmarks.

JACKSON POLLOK: “SUMMERTIME” – 1948
“Summertime” is one of Pollock’s most brilliant works, dating from his creative zenith –the period between 1946 and 1950. With a remarkable horizontal format, Pollock gives the composition a sensational rhythm and movement, which many critics have identified with a series of dancing figures.
Image: © Pollock – Krasner Foundation, Inc.

EDWARD HOPPER: “SUMMER EVENING” – 1947
Like many other works by Hopper, “Summer evening” depicts the mystery of the everyday. There is something fascinating about the apparent simplicity of this painting, something that makes us feel like voyeurs, inadvertent guests to the conversation of this young couple. We almost feel that if we keep looking at this painting for a while, the silence will be interrupted by the sound of crickets, the couple will hug, and they will get into the house, disappearing from our view.

JOAQUÍN SOROLLA: “CHILDREN AT THE SEA, VALENCIA” – 1909
Sorolla is the painter of the Mediterranean light, and his compositions showing a group of children on the beach are probably his best known works. In them, the magnetic quality of the Mediterranean light is joined by the innocence of the children playing with the kind Mediterranean waves, creating fascinating paintings. In this example, one of the kids looks directly to the viewer, making him part of this compelling scene.

THE UNDERTONES: HERE COMES THE SUMMER – 1979
“Here comes the summer” is all what a summer song should be. An unforgettable ode to summer synthesized in a little New Wave gem. Tanned girls and crowded beaches. Do you need anything else? It’s time to come out, time to discover what fun is about.

AMERICAN GRAFFITI – 1972
directed by George Lucas
Where were you in the summer of ’62? “American Graffiti”, George Lucas’s first great success, is a nostalgic portrait of a summer in California in the 60s. A particular universe of hot-rods, drive-ins and brilliantine. One last summer night before taking the hardest journey: the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

R.E.M.: NIGHTSWIMMING – 1992
“Nightswimming” is a marvelous song from a marvelous album, “Automatic for the people”. Stipe’s voice and Mike Mills’s piano talking about furtive baths under the moonlight. Nightswimming, daydreaming. September’s coming soon…

EDDIE COCHRAN: SUMMERTIME BLUES – 1958
“Sometimes I wonder what I’m a gonna do / But there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues”. A masterpiece by a true music pioneer, “Summertime blues” represents the spirit of an era. A time when rock and roll was young, gasoline was cheap, and teenagers like Cochran or Holly set the pace of a generation.

THE LOVIN’ SPOONFUL: SUMMER IN THE CITY – 1966
Summer in the city. Torrid days of deserted streets, melted asphalt and drawn blinds. Nights of music and dance until sunrise. “Summer in the City” was the most successful single of The Lovin ‘Spoonful, reaching number one on the Billboard lists in August 1966.