Renoir, Pierre-Auguste (1841-1919)
Jeune fille lisant (Reading Girl)
1880
Oil on canvas, 57 x 47.5 cm
Städel Museum, Frankfurt
Renoir, like all Impressionists, was interested in motifs from everyday life. This way he could show his models in private moments: by concentrating on the book, the young lady makes eye contact impossible. This draws the viewer’s attention to the painting technique. Beyond the sculpted face, the painting is sketchy in its colour application. Above all, the background with its loosely placed brushstrokes and the dynamically flecked bouquet of flowers identify Renoir as an artist in the midst of Impressionism. (SG)