“Woman with a Parasol in a Garden”
For today, a painting full of flowers and light…
“Woman with a Parasol in a Garden” is a gorgeous oil on canvas painting by the French Impressionism artist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, from 1875. The setting is actually the large overgrown personal garden outside the studio in Montmartre in Paris, France that Renoir rented between 1875 and 1876.
This piece exhibits many classic impressionist techniques. The numerous flowers are represented by simple dabs of color. There is no visible horizon in the background. There are two figures in the central back part of the scene. The standing figure who the painting is named for, is a woman holding a parasol to shield her from the bright sun. The second figure is interpreted as a gentleman bending down to examine a flower more closely.
The contrasting colors and textures nest the two individuals firmly into the scene. Though there is a wide variety of colors, the lack of details gives the viewer the sense of being in a memory more than a specific place. As such, for many years, this painting was thought to depict a scene out in the countryside rather than in the heart of Paris.
According to Renoir’s friend, George Rivière, “As soon as Renoir entered the house, he was charmed by the view of this garden, which looked like a beautiful, abandoned park”. This painting may have previously been exhibited at the third Impressionist exhibition in April 1877 under the title “Garden”.
“Woman with a Parasol in a Garden” is currently on display at the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid, Spain.
For more on Pierre-Auguste Renoir, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
