Mademoiselle Legrand Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919)

Description of the painting "Mademoiselle Legrand" by Pierre Auguste Renoir

This charming portrait of eight-year-old Delphine Legrand was painted by Renoir in 1875, early in his artistic career, when the painter depended on the decisions of a portrait commission to provide for his life and creative work, mining his fame as an artist.

With her arms folded, the girl stands in an indecisive pose. Her defenseless gaze is directed somewhere to the side as if looking for support. Her portrait of Delphine is executed with clarity of detail and rich, bright colors prevail: wet brush strokes painted her black apron, a blue scarf tied around her neck with a bow, behind her - shaded in greenish paint blue curtain. Her gold medallion lies very peculiarly childlike - unevenly, as if it had been taken out from under her apron moments ago to adorn her clothes.

Delphine’s parents belonged to the petty bourgeoisie: her father was a merchant, and her mother made straw hats. According to reports, the girl’s painting was commissioned by her grandfather, who wished to exhibit Impressionist works in his shop. Granddaughter appeared on the canvas childishly charming and a little stiff. This work by Renoir evokes memories of the carefree world of childhood.

Along with other portraits of women and children, which so loved to write impressionist, in the creation of the brush "Mademoiselle Legrand" reads reverent attitude of the artist to a gentle human being.

Renoir’s paintings strike with life-affirming force - they are romantic, bright. Delphine girl is painted with the same love and joy that is peculiar to him. The sweet creature shyly shrinks her gaze, and the bright sapphire drops of her eyes shine with unprecedented beauty. Bold rapid strokes in the typical Impressionist style filled with oil fragments details of the appearance of Mademoiselle and colorful background.

Renoir again masterfully praises youth and the beauty of life.