Roberts undertook an outdoor painting campaign at the seaside with friends Frederick McCubbin and Louis Abrahams in January 1887. There they met Arthur Streeton.

One day, they headed to a secluded sandy beach at Ricketts Point. Roberts’

models were Streeton at the left, lily-white skin and slim; McCubbin standing centre, sturdier; and Abrahams seated right. McCubbin, arms raised behind his head, takes up a conventional life-class pose, but also suggests a pleasurable real-life loosening stretch after stillness. He is still, preparing for immersion in salt water; while Streeton hastens towards a glimpse of white sand, and lapping wavelets.