Laundress and Her Child (Aline and Pierre)

c. 1886

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

(French, 1841–1919)

Culture

France, 19th century

Medium

pastel on brown paper

Measurements

Sheet: 81.5 x 65 cm (32 1/16 x 25 9/16 in.); Mounted: 82.6 x 65.9 cm (32 1/2 x 25 15/16 in.); Framed: 99 x 82.5 x 4.2 cm (39 x 32 1/2 x 1 5/8 in.)

Credit Line

Bequest of Alexander Ginn 1977.167

Catalogue raisonné

Dauberville 1394

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

Auguste Renoir also realized this composition as a painting in oil on canvas which is in the collection of the Barnes Foundation today.

Description

In this idealization of motherhood and rural life, Auguste Renoir depicted his future wife, Aline Charigot, with their son Pierre. Bright colors, including warm orange and yellow, are contrasted with cool blues and greens to create a dramatic impact. Renoir took full advantage of pastel’s unique optical properties, in which minute, irregular particles diffusely reflect light, allowing for an unparalleled velvety brilliance that is perfectly suited to portray the youthful bloom of the woman and child.