Picking Flowers 1875

Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted "Picking Flowers" using oil paints, a material that allows for a rich, textured surface and a capture of light and color. Renoir's application of paint is particularly striking, with short, loose brushstrokes that give the impression of movement and vibrancy. Notice how the texture and weight of the oil paint contribute to the lush, verdant atmosphere of the scene. The painting technique involves building up layers of color to create depth, capturing the shimmering quality of light as it filters through the garden. The effect is almost textile; you can imagine the scene as a tapestry. These processes carry a social significance, reflecting the rise of leisure and an interest in depicting everyday life of the period. The artist has put in the labor to produce the effect, inviting us to rethink traditional hierarchies of art and craft.