Details
- Object type
pastel
- Title
Lady with Auburn Hair
- Artist/Maker
- Culture/School
French
- Date
circa 1875-1878
- Materials
pastel on toothed paper
- Dimensions
framed: 675 mm x 567 mm x 60 mm; overall: 679 mm x 567 mm x 60 mm; unframed: 508 mm x 400 mm
- Description
-
Renoir first found success painting portraits of the wives and children of a few wealthy patrons. Here he delicately captures the features of the young woman’s face. His striking use of colour gives this portrait an immediacy and a vibrancy – particularly because of his use of the complementary colours blue and orange.
Renoir‘s art was instinctive. In an interview given in the last years of his life, the artist said ‘Nowadays they want to explain everything. But if they could explain a picture it wouldn't be art. Shall I tell you what I think are the two qualities of a work of art? It must be indescribable, and it must be inimitable...The work of art must seize upon you, wrap you up in itself, carry you away. It is the means by which the artist conveys his passion.’
Renoir participated in the first three Impressionist exhibitions, held in Paris in 1874, 1876 and 1877. He exhibited again at the seventh exhibition in 1882 but after that chose to show at the Salon, where he was very successful.
- Credit Line/Donor
Gifted by Sir William and Lady Burrell to the City of Glasgow, 1944
- Collection
Burrell Collection: Pictures [Oils, Pastels and Watercolours]
- ID Number
35.601
- Location
Burrell Collection