Edward Henry Potthast (1857–1927) was an American painter celebrated for sunlit seaside scenes and everyday leisure, rendered with a warm Impressionist touch. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he trained early in lithography and commercial art before studying more formally—first in the U.S., then in Europe, where he absorbed the loose brushwork and bright palette of French Impressionism while refining a solid academic draftsmanship. Returning to America, he built a career as a figure painter and exhibited widely, gaining recognition for works that balanced confident drawing with sparkling color. Potthast is best known for his beach paintings—children playing in surf, figures strolling shorelines, umbrellas and sand shimmering under high summer light—often set along the Atlantic coast and in popular resort towns. His compositions feel immediate and relaxed, yet carefully organized, using rhythmic silhouettes and reflected light to guide the eye. Though he also painted interiors, portraits, and street scenes, his coastal subjects became his signature: optimistic snapshots of modern life where atmosphere, motion, and sun-drenched color take center stage.