Nude c. 1895

Pierre-Auguste Renoir created this painting, titled *Nude*, using oil on canvas. Consider Renoir's choice of materials, rooted in the long tradition of academic painting. The effects he achieved, with soft, shimmering light, were born out of industrial chemistry. Pigments became more vibrant and stable in the 19th century, due to advances in manufacturing. This, in turn, supported a boom in the art market, with more artists able to obtain better materials. Focusing on a single figure, bathed in a gentle light, the painting presents a scene of quiet contemplation. The soft texture of the pigment invites a sense of intimacy. But remember that even in a seemingly straightforward image, the materials themselves have a history. Renoir’s painting is not simply a representation of the nude form, it is also the product of a complex web of material culture, from the pigments to the canvas. Appreciating the materiality and context allows for a fuller understanding of the artwork.