Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Impressionism Analysis

“To my mind, a picture should be something pleasant, cheerful, and pretty, yes pretty! There are too many unpleasant things in life as it is without creating still more of them” (P.A.R Quotes). Pierre-Auguste Renoir was an artist that put his heart and soul into a painting. Prior to Renoir there were many artists. Renoir was a man after diversity and difference in his paintings. He did not want to be like everybody else. He and many others felt this way, forming a new art called Impressionism. This new concept originated in France in the 1860’s. In 1874 Impressionism really took off, these artist were going against Realism in every way. These artist of Impressionism only became a group because they were rejected by the Salon des Refuses. Their

This was an oil painting completed in 1881. This painting still remains to be the most popular work of art at The Phillips Collection. Renoir enjoyed painting busy scenes filled with people doing what they loved. In this painting the people are eating food, sipping wine, and mingling amongst each other. Upon looking at the painting our eyes go directly to the colors. Renoir used contrasts of colors such as deep blues, greens, and reds. There seems to be well thought out texture in the clothing of the people and in the background. The people all seem to be doing something, most are talking, and others are looking about. There seems to be a great deal of light coming from the opening in the background and sunlight beaming off the table. Renoir made sure there was a sense of movement, a way your eye follows the canvas. The brushstrokes seem to be heavy and thick with additional smaller ones to add composition. There is also a great sense of balance throughout the painting. A certain amount of people in the front of the canvas closely similar to the back of the canvas. This painting shows great deal of Impressionist style work. This is a scene from the modern life of some friends enjoying a Sunday