Entering the Village of Essoyes 1901

Curator: The immediate sense is of warmth, the kind you feel walking along a sun-drenched road in late summer. It is an incredibly inviting work. Editor: It certainly is. We’re looking at Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s “Entering the Village of Essoyes,” painted in 1901. The work is in a private collection, and shows a lane in Essoyes, a town where Renoir eventually made his home. Curator: And look at that church steeple peeking over the rooftops. For me, a steeple like that represents more than just religious observance; it anchors the community. There’s a grounding feeling present. Editor: Absolutely. The painting beautifully encapsulates a pivotal era of French history, reflecting the values and the charm of rural life as France moved into the 20th century. It is an exquisite example of the Plein-air approach. Curator: True. I find the tall, thin trees almost reaching for the sky really striking. They remind me of natural obelisks, and almost like an effort by the artist to represent the harmony of nature. Editor: I wonder what compelled Renoir to fix this moment, this entrance, onto canvas. Did he want to preserve a vision of French village life before it changed irrevocably? We know, of course, of Renoir's failing eyesight later in his career and there is such strong and vibrant rendering of colour. Curator: That may well be the case. As an impressionist landscape, the image feels fleeting, as if we are invited to step into the painting and relive the memory. Note the vibrant colours of green that capture that harmony we spoke about. Editor: You know, seeing it through your eyes really adds another dimension to how I understand Renoir’s intention here. Maybe the essence of ‘home’ for him was always rooted in the kind of community represented by such a village. Curator: Perhaps for both the artist and the viewer. I would argue it reminds us how integral our connections to location can be. The way that is symbolized feels very poignant and inviting.