Artwork
Two Sisters (On the Terrace)
Two Sisters (On the Terrace) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1881 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Accession no.
- 14655
About this work
Overview
Two Sisters (On the Terrace) is an oil on canvas painting depicting two young girls on a terrace overlooking a river. The work was exhibited at the Impressionist exhibition of 1882.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows two girls in elegant attire, surrounded by nature. The older girl wears a boater's outfit and a red hat, while the younger girl's floral headdress is echoed in a nearby basket of yarn. The scene conveys a sense of youthful joy and harmony with the natural environment.
Technique & Style
Renoir employed precise brushwork to create porcelain-like faces, contrasting with the diaphanous, impressionist depiction of the river, boats, and trees beyond the terrace railing. This blend of controlled and spontaneous techniques is characteristic of the artist's style.
History & Provenance
The painting is set at the Restaurant Fournaise in Chatou, a location Renoir frequented to escape urban Paris. It is among the last of his works to feature this setting, and was exhibited at the Impressionist exhibition of 1882.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a French artist who was a leading painter in the development of the Impressionist style.
