Pair of framed miniature coastal oil paintings depicting a resin sailboat and beach umbrella.

Amateur and regional artists painted small coastal scenes like these across coastal towns in North America and Europe, working on inexpensive canvas boards or wood panels. They created these works to capture familiar local landmarks, such as lighthouses and quiet beaches, for holiday visitors and local residents to decorate small spaces. Artists used oil paints applied with brushes and palette knives, often finishing them in simple, ready-made wooden frames.