Painting Detail
In the GardenArtist: Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Medium: Painting, Oil on canvas, 170.5x112.5 cm
Date: 1885
Genre: Genre Painting
Source: Formerly in the collection of Otto Gerstenberg, later his daughter's, Margarete Scharf, Berlin
Renoir, like all the Impressionists, avoided any hint of an anecdotal theme. In this case, however, he almost succumbed to the temptation to create a topical work. He chose a theme that for any other painter of his day might have invited pseudo-Romantic declamation, or even sentimental tastelessness, but somehow avoided these dangers. The expectant look of the young man, his entire demeanour, leaves no doubt as to his intentions: he is asking for the hand and heart of the young woman. The fixed gaze of the girl reflects her transport into the future. The seriousness of the young couple's intentions is suggested by the cross-worn by the girl, an unusual detail for Renoir. It is placed in the centre of the composition, and focuses its meaning.
In all love scenes, Renoir showed a woman with whom he was involved, or wanted to be. However, he always painted a stand-in for himself. The male partner in this picture is another artist, Henri Laurent, whom Renoir put together with Aline Charigot, the artist's girlfriend and later his wife. In all probability, the figure of the girl has been painted not from life but from memory.