Off Duty – Ruhl Plage, Nice (2026)

Alex Nereuta’s Off Duty – Ruhl Plage, Nice captures a peaceful summer moment at one of the French Riviera’s iconic beach clubs. A man in swim shorts and sunglasses reclines on a blue-and-white striped sunbed beneath a matching beach umbrella, gazing out at the Mediterranean Sea. Bold graphic lines, simplified figurative forms and a luminous palette of azure blues, turquoise and crisp whites create a contemporary coastal painting that evokes the relaxed elegance of a European summer. Inspired by Ruhl Plage, a famous beachfront destination along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, this original Mediterranean painting celebrates the simple pleasure of slowing down by the sea. You can almost feel the warmth of the sun as you settle into a lounge chair, surrounded by endless blue horizons and the effortless atmosphere of summer on the Côte d’Azur. Yet behind this tranquil scene lies an interesting contrast. While tourists and hotel guests relax beneath striped parasols, beach club staff work behind the scenes, arranging sunbeds, preparing umbrellas and serving cocktails. Although they share the same Mediterranean view, their experiences are worlds apart. This contrast inspired two companion paintings: Off Duty, capturing a moment of leisure, and On Duty – Ruhl Plage, Nice, depicting the beach club staff at work. Created using acrylic on canvas, this one-of-a-kind original painting combines graphic patterns, expressive brushstrokes and contemporary figurative details. Off Duty – Ruhl Plage, Nice can be purchased individually or paired with its companion painting, On Duty – Ruhl Plage, Nice, to form a diptych celebrating two contrasting perspectives on French Riviera beach culture.