Ode to Flowers (after Anacreon) 1909

Pierre-Auguste Renoir made this painting, Ode to Flowers (after Anacreon), with oil on canvas. Renoir was part of the Impressionist movement, along with Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Edgar Degas. One of the things that ties these artists together is their rejection of academic painting styles and their interests in painting "en plein air," which is just a fancy French way of saying "outdoors," where they could directly observe the effects of light and atmosphere on their subjects. Renoir used loose brushstrokes and vibrant colors to capture the fleeting moment. The thick application of paint gives the surface texture and depth, while the blending of tones creates soft, luminous effects. Renoir made numerous artworks with this technique throughout his career, often returning to it for its ability to express the vibrancy of life. Paintings like this challenge the traditions that separate the applied arts from so-called fine art. The real beauty lies in Renoir's mastery of his materials and techniques.