Artwork
Summer Hats
Summer Hats is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1897 and is held in the collection of the Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1897, this oil on canvas by Pierre‑Auguste Renoir depicts a leisurely garden scene. Two young women, both clad in white dresses, pose beneath large summer hats embellished with blossoms. The composition is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s 19th‑century holdings.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of relaxed femininity in an outdoor setting, emphasizing the elegance of summer attire. The figures’ calm demeanor and the gentle gesture of the woman on the left, who holds a single flower, suggest a quiet celebration of seasonal beauty and the social rituals of leisure among the upper middle class of the period.
Technique & Style
Renoir employs a loose, impressionistic brushwork that softens forms while preserving the intricate detailing of the hats and floral decorations. A luminous palette of warm hues and subtle contrasts conveys the dappled sunlight filtering through foliage, creating a tranquil atmosphere through the interplay of light and color rather than strict chiaroscuro modeling.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered private collections before being acquired by the Kunsthaus Zürich in the early 20th century. Its presence in the museum’s holdings reflects the institution’s commitment to representing the breadth of French Impressionism and provides a reference point for Renoir’s later, more decorative phase.
Context
Executed during the final decade of Renoir’s career, the canvas illustrates his shift toward decorative subjects and a lighter, more decorative palette. The focus on fashionable women in garden settings aligns with contemporary trends in French society, where outdoor leisure and refined attire became popular motifs for artists exploring modern life.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a French artist who was a leading painter in the development of the Impressionist style.
