Woman in Blue 1919

Pierre-Auguste Renoir made this oil painting, Woman in Blue, in France sometime in his career. Look at how Renoir builds up the figure with soft, broken brushstrokes, creating a shimmering effect. It's like he's capturing a fleeting impression, rather than a solid form. The way Renoir applies paint is so luscious. It's thick in places, creating a real sense of texture, like you could almost touch the folds of her dress. Then, in other spots, it's thin and transparent, allowing the light to shine through. Check out how he uses these daubs of blues and whites to suggest the fabric of her dress, so that the eye is allowed to mix the colour rather than relying on the artist to have done so. It's a smart technique to let the painting breath. Renoir reminds me of Edouard Manet, another painter who was interested in capturing the fleeting moments of modern life. But while Manet often used a more direct, confrontational style, Renoir's paintings are softer, more sensual, and inviting.