Mademoiselle Legrand 1875

Editor: Here we have Renoir's "Mademoiselle Legrand," an oil painting from 1875. It's a portrait, and I’m struck by how the textures of the fabrics seem so important to the image, even more than the subject's personality. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I'm drawn to the social and economic realities embedded in Renoir's choices. Think about the materiality of paint itself – oil paint was becoming more readily available in tubes, impacting how artists worked and expanding the art market. And observe Mademoiselle Legrand’s attire; who was making these fabrics? Where did the dyes come from? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn’t considered the supply chains behind the materials used to depict her, or Renoir's own working method! Curator: Exactly. The fluffy, visible brushstrokes of Impressionism were actually a very specific choice reflecting both new industrial methods and shifting tastes among consumers. The painting captures not only an image of a girl, but it implicitly engages the evolving industrial systems shaping French society and culture. Consider the subtle wallpaper behind her, and how industrialization also brought decorative design and consumer goods to a new, growing middle class. Editor: So it’s not just about aesthetics, but also about the accessibility and consumption of materials, for both the artist and the subject? Curator: Precisely. Think of artmaking as a specific type of labor. What were the conditions of Renoir’s studio? How did his patrons impact his access to certain materials? The focus on materiality and labor can radically transform our understanding. Editor: I see what you mean. I’ll definitely pay more attention to the materials and their context when I look at art in the future! Curator: Wonderful! Examining art through the lens of materials opens a world of possibilities.