I will be teaching a series of classes on the blockbuster exhibition Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment at the National Gallery of Art for the next few weeks. In the meantime, I will be presenting some of my blogs on several Impressionist masters, including Renoir and asking the question:
Why Do We Love Renoir?
However, after viewing Renoir’s unforgettable floral expression below, do I have to ask?
Auguste Renoir, Flowers in a Vase, c. 1866, oil on canvas, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Flowers in a Vase, c. 1866
Artist: Auguste Renoir (1841-1919)
WILDFLOWER EXTRAVAGANZA: Have you ever seen such a display of nature, ingeniously arranged by Renoir? The wildflowers overflowing from the solid, earthenware vase, with a sense of freedom and abandon, as if still growing in the meadow where Renoir had recently picked them.
Initially you might be drawn to the irresistible red of the poppies that are impossible to miss. Although, if you are patient, an encyclopedia of France’s wildflowers are revealed. You might want to consult a French nature website for a list like I did that included cornflower, black-mustard, Aromatic-Scented-Mayweed, agrimony, thistle, apple mint, among several others.
Auguste Renoir, Bouquet of Chrysanthemums, 1881, oil on canvas, The Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Collection, Bequest of Walter A. Annenberg, 2002, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Title: Bouquet of Chrysanthemums, 1881
Artist: Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919)
How did Renoir fit all these flowers into one vase? A feat that only an artist could accomplish? For French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir the act of painting flowers was relaxing, a way to “rest his brain.” Chrysanthemums in particular stimulated his creative eye and mind, resulting in a number of works hanging today in major art museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art (as seen above), Art Institute of Chicago, as well as the Musee des Beaux Arts in Rouen, France.
Renoir, one of the great colorists in the history of art, was often inspired by autumn in general, capturing the vibrant and changing landscape of the season throughout his long career.
In the public domain, courtesy of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
The National Gallery of Art does not endorse or approve use of the above image or any of the material on this website. Nor has the National Gallery of Art participated in any projects utilizing the said image.
In the public domain. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify, and distribute this image even for commercial purposes.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art does not endorse or approve use of the above image or any of the material on this website. Nor has the Metropolitan Museum of Art participated in any projects utilizing the said image.
