“Reading forms an important recurring motif in Renoir’s oeuvre, despite his professed aversion to all literary influences in visual art. “For me, a painting should be something pleasant, joyous, and pretty,” he insisted, “yes, pretty!” (ibid., p. 16). Books distracted his models from the difficult task of posing at length, allowing him to work without haste. In the present painting, he has depicted the young woman in profile, her head resting contemplatively on one hand as she reads, seemingly unaware of the artist. The harmonious, integrated palette of warm tones–cream, pink, russet, and brown, with just touches of blue for shadow–heightens the effect of a private, self-contained world.”
READ FULL ESSAY: Christie’s
See More
Pierre-Auguste Renoir At Sunnyside
Read More
Thanks for Visiting 🌻
~Sunnyside
At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet 
He is my favourite Impressionist artist! Very nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Sharon! I am happy you enjoy this, too. 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s interesting that Renoir allowed his subjects to read so they would be less distracted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An intuitive and practical choice! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Mary. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for this treat 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, always, Rosaliene. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fine art should be appealing to the eye? What an idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
lolol…Who knew?! 😎❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person