Reclining nude 1909

Pierre-Auguste Renoir made this Reclining Nude with oil on canvas. Look closely, and you'll see that he has built up the paint in layers, using short brushstrokes. The canvas support gives a visual structure to the painting. The rough weave shows through, adding texture to the composition. The way that Renoir applied the paint, almost dry-brushing in some areas, allowed him to capture the shifting light and create a sense of luminosity on the woman's skin. He also captured the tactile qualities of the scene, inviting the viewer to almost feel the softness of the sheets. Renoir's impressionist style celebrates the act of painting itself, bringing attention to the artist's materials and the labor involved in creating an image. In the end, the art lies in the process. This challenges any separation between fine art and craft, emphasizing the crucial role of materials and making in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.