Bust of Woman in Red 1905 - 1908

Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted this bust of a woman, probably in the late 19th century, with oil on canvas. The ochre background glows with a warm light, and there are these loose vertical strokes that look like errant leaves. I imagine Renoir, squinting, tilting his head, trying to find the exact pink of her cheek, the burnt sienna of her hair. It’s like he’s building her face from pure color, each dab and stroke a little discovery. Look how the red of her dress almost melts into the background, but then pops with that dark red slash at her collarbone. It’s not just about capturing a likeness, but about feeling the weight of the paint, the texture of the canvas, the joy of seeing. You get the sense that painting was an experiment for him, an ongoing conversation with the world. It makes me wanna grab a brush and start talking too.