Beneath Morro da Urca, narrow Praia Vermelha has superb views of the rocky coastline from the shore. Because the beach is protected by the headland, the water is usually calm. The resulting coarse sand gives the beach its name, Vermelha (red) which is highlighted at sunset when the low light causes the sand to glow red.
In the painting, I have included Sugar Loaf Mountain cast in afternoon cloud. The two cable journeys to the summit took a matter of minutes and once through the clouds I was met with the bluest of skies and a very welcome coolness above the city heat.
