La modiste (1877)

Renoir, Pierre-Auguste (1841-1919)

La modiste (The Milliner)
1877
Pastel on paper, 53.3 x 41.3 cm
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Renoir’s slice-of-life street scene provides just enough detail to allow us to identify his young model as an apprentice milliner. Indicative of her junior status as a trottin or trotteuse (an errand girl or assistant), she is shown toting a hat box in front of a millinery shop, its colorful array of finery set in contrast to her demure dress and the simple rose adornment in her hair. (MET)