The open-air cafés of suburban Bougival, on the Seine outside Paris, were popular recreation spots for city dwellers, including the Impressionist painters. Renoir, who was primarily a figure painter, uses intense color and lush brushwork to heighten the sense of pleasure conveyed by the whirling couple who dominate the composition. The woman’s face, framed by her red bonnet, is the focus of attention, both ours and her companion’s. Quote from Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Renoir’s classical training is evident in Dance at Bougival, yet his bright palette continues to reflect the ideas of his fellow Impressionists. In a February 2012 article for The Economist, Prospero writes that Renoir is “a leading light in the early Impressionist shows,” but says that Renoir never entirely abandoned “his traditional training at the École des Beaux-Arts.” Furthermore, Prospero continues,
By 1883 the young man who had honed his skills copying masterpieces at the Louvre [is] starting to return to a more classical technique. His dilemma, believes Mr. Bailey***, [comes] from wanting to be “an absolutely modern artist without breaking with tradition.” (Prospero, Feb. 2012)
***Prospero is quoting Colin Bailey, the Frick’s chief curator.
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (detail).
Dance at Bougival (1883), Pierre-Auguste Renoir , (French, 1841–1919), Oil paint on canvas, 181.9 by 98.1 centimetres (71.6 in × 38.6 in), Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Hi! Well, I have enjoyed your paintings very much, and hope to see many more. Just call me a ‘want to be’ amateur painter who may never have the courage to even try it myself – But I do love finding a copyright free images with high enough resolution to see brushstrokes. Rarely am I successful, but I do enjoy the hunt. 😉 Thanks so much for the comment.
Very kind of you. Please keep up your hunt. Whatever I know I learn from looking at paintings, and I love to study the brushstrokes and handling of pigment.
I relish the detail. It really helps me as an amateur painter.
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Hi! Well, I have enjoyed your paintings very much, and hope to see many more. Just call me a ‘want to be’ amateur painter who may never have the courage to even try it myself – But I do love finding a copyright free images with high enough resolution to see brushstrokes. Rarely am I successful, but I do enjoy the hunt. 😉 Thanks so much for the comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very kind of you. Please keep up your hunt. Whatever I know I learn from looking at paintings, and I love to study the brushstrokes and handling of pigment.
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Such master of art, the details the colour amazing , Renoir is simply great!
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When I get a high resolution Renoir image to study enlarged, I get very happy. Who says women are hard to please? 😉
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I know his paintings have feminine delicacy and such craftsmanship!
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I might pen poem on his paintings will share with you! I am inspired!
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Perfect! I will look forward to that! 🙂
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👍
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Thank you, it was lovely reading this post.🙂❤️
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I’m so glad you like it, Hélène! Thank you for visiting! 😊
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Very interesting! It’s like HD in paint format!
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lolol… Yes!! I just updated this one with better resolution images….they make me HAPPY! 😎
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