Portrait de Madame de Bonnières 1889

Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted this portrait of Madame de Bonnières in France; we don’t know exactly when, but it was probably in the 1880s. Renoir was one of the leading figures of Impressionism, a movement that challenged the established conventions of the French art world. Impressionism, breaking from academic tradition, sought to capture the fleeting impressions of modern life and its rapidly changing society. The movement was often criticized by the conservative artistic establishment. The dress worn by Madame de Bonnières, and the domestic interior around her indicate her membership in the bourgeoisie, the rising social class that supported Impressionism. Renoir’s paintings, with their emphasis on light, color, and the everyday, reflected the values and experiences of the French middle class. To fully understand the context of Renoir’s paintings, art historians often consult period publications and exhibition reviews. By studying these sources, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the social and institutional forces that shaped his art.