Still Life with Fish 1913

Here we see Renoir's 'Still Life with Fish', made with oil on canvas at an unknown date. It’s so luscious; the way the light bounces off those scales! Looking closely, I see it’s not about perfect representation, but about the joy of applying paint. The colors blend and blur, suggesting forms rather than defining them. It's like Renoir is saying, "Here’s some fish, but really, it’s about the dance of color and light." I’m drawn to the reddish-brown tones of the smaller fish. They are painted with quick, loose strokes, each dab of color capturing a glint of light. It’s like he’s chasing the ephemeral, trying to catch a fleeting moment. It reminds me of Chardin, but with a more impressionistic, less formal, touch. This piece is less about capturing a likeness and more about the pure, unadulterated pleasure of painting. It celebrates the process, inviting us to revel in the beauty of art-making.