Woman Standing by a Tree 1866

Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted this study of a woman outdoors using oil on canvas. Looking closely, you can see that Renoir’s brushwork is very loose. He applied the paint in short, quick strokes, almost like dabs. This technique, typical of the Impressionists, was all about capturing the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere. But it also hints at the changing nature of labor in Renoir’s time. As industrialization progressed, there was a growing sense of speed and ephemerality in everyday life. The impressionists wanted to capture this experience, so they employed techniques like loose brushwork to express this. Renoir himself came from a working-class background, his father was a tailor. While he became successful, he never forgot his roots, and often depicted working-class people in his paintings. He elevated the status of everyday life through his work. By understanding the materials and making processes, we can better grasp how the artist was reflecting on the changing world around him.