Blonde bather 1881

This is Renoir's Blonde Bather, painted with oils on canvas. The Impressionists were very interested in surface, and Renoir was certainly no exception. Here, he layers strokes of pink, peach, and cream to bring life to the bather’s skin. His approach to the body, his use of color, and the quickness of his strokes are crucial to the appearance of his work. It is important to keep in mind that he was working in a time of rising commercialism. The Impressionists were adamant about capturing the modern world, and that extended to their own lives. They captured what was around them, painting for pleasure. Renoir here seems to capture a moment of leisure and relaxation, the labor involved is invisible on the surface of the painting. But the history of the making of this painting is very important. The skill and effort it took to manipulate oil paint in such a way should not be overlooked. It's through understanding its making that we can fully appreciate what it represents.