The single greatest strength of this work is the simply amazing way Renoir has
crafted a value pattern integrated with the repeated, glowing warmth of
people’s faces. Formal development is uniform, which has a constricting effect
on areas of focus, which in turn does much to highlight the mood of this work.
Interactions, analogous contrasts in size and figurative locations on-canvas
become secondary centers of focus. By tipping the perspective slightly, a
greater field of view is available, and an interest-generating element of drama
is added.
Renoir has managed to create a work of believable illusionary depth with figures that are decorative in character. Texturing is universally uniform, and combined with Renoirs’ use of color purity, they have a flattening effect on the composition. Renoir has installed visually pleasing, harmonious and analogous relationships in relative shape size and a blended combination of warmth and chroma. In fact, even the blues, greens and blacks are slightly warmed, supporting the sense of heat glowing off the canvas.
The carefree, relaxed mood of this composition is communicated quite well through the interactions between figures and their gestures and expressions, not to mention the before-mentioned cohesive formal relationships. Renoir expressed a need that his creations capture a certain sense of beauty, of peace and calm, stating quite appropriately that “There are quite enough unpleasant things in life without the need for us to manufacture more[1].” There is a certain idealistic tone in the youthful condition of the subjects and their nearly platitudinous interactions, but this is not a clean break from a believable sense of reality.
[1] Stokstad, Marilyn (2005, 2008). Art History, vols. I & II, third edition. Pearson, Prentice Hall Publishing.
Renoir has managed to create a work of believable illusionary depth with figures that are decorative in character. Texturing is universally uniform, and combined with Renoirs’ use of color purity, they have a flattening effect on the composition. Renoir has installed visually pleasing, harmonious and analogous relationships in relative shape size and a blended combination of warmth and chroma. In fact, even the blues, greens and blacks are slightly warmed, supporting the sense of heat glowing off the canvas.
The carefree, relaxed mood of this composition is communicated quite well through the interactions between figures and their gestures and expressions, not to mention the before-mentioned cohesive formal relationships. Renoir expressed a need that his creations capture a certain sense of beauty, of peace and calm, stating quite appropriately that “There are quite enough unpleasant things in life without the need for us to manufacture more[1].” There is a certain idealistic tone in the youthful condition of the subjects and their nearly platitudinous interactions, but this is not a clean break from a believable sense of reality.
[1] Stokstad, Marilyn (2005, 2008). Art History, vols. I & II, third edition. Pearson, Prentice Hall Publishing.
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