File:A Beach Scene near Scheveningen RMG BHC1034.tiff

A beach is in the foreground with a bay beyond. To the far left a man carries a net over his right shoulder. A dog in the centre foreground, standing next to an anchor, looks out to sea and there are several groups of figures seated and standing to the right of the picture, on the foreshore. There are a couple of large fishing boats on the beach. In the distance to the far right are some low cliffs with the roofs of a village and the spire of a church just visible, together with a square tower further to the right. A man on horseback with a dog stands in front of a coastal craft ashore in the shallows. Several other boats can be seen in the bay.

Most of the artist's extant paintings date from the last six years of his career and are principally marine subject-matter. Brooking's reputation as a marine artist was well established by 1755. This work was influenced by 17th-century Dutch marine artists, and resembles a composition by Simon de Vlieger, who painted the beach at Scheveningen near The Hague. However this interpretation is not topographically accurate and was probably based on other sources. Although Brooking's stylistic range shows the influence of de Vlieger and Willem van de Velde the Younger, his approach was uncompromisingly individualistic. Brooking's careful attention to detail evinces an informed knowledge of maritime practice and naval architecture. The painting has been signed by the artist.