Artwork
Jeanne Samary
Jeanne Samary is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
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- Inscribed:upper left in monogram: AR
About this work
Technique & Style
Jeanne Samary is an oil painting on canvas by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, executed in 1878 and classified as a portrait.
Jeanne Samary is an oil painting on canvas by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, executed in 1878 and classified as a portrait. The medium and support are documented as oil paint on canvas, and the work belongs to the genre of portraiture. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Beyond these technical and classification details, the available sources do not provide further specifics regarding handling, condition, dimensions, or stylistic qualities.
History & Provenance
The portrait of Jeanne Samary was painted by Auguste Renoir in 1878. Its earliest documented owner was Marie-Joseph Paul Lagarde (1851–1903) of Paris, the husband of the sitter. The painting was retained by Lagarde and not included when the Lagarde collection was dispersed at the Galerie Georges Petit in 1897.
It subsequently passed into the possession of Captain Edward H. Molyneux (1891–1974) in Paris by 1952, in whose collection it was exhibited that year at the National Gallery of Art. Molyneux sold the work in 1955 to Ailsa Mellon Bruce (1901–1969) of New York, who bequeathed the painting in 1970 to the National Gallery of Art, where it remains.
Context
Auguste Renoir painted Jeanne Samary in 1878, a portrait that exemplifies his early bourgeois subject matter. The work, executed in oil on canvas, entered the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., through the bequest of Ailsa Mellon Bruce in 1970. Its provenance traces from the sitter's husband, Marie-Joseph Paul Lagarde, through Captain Edward H. Molyneux's collection exhibited at the NGA in 1952, to Bruce's acquisition in 1955.
Overview
Jeanne Samary, painted by Auguste Renoir in 1878, is a portrait of the French actress Jeanne Samary, a frequent model for the Impressionist circle. The work depicts the sitter seated in a chair, dressed in a dark gown with a wide-brimmed hat adorned with flowers. She faces the viewer directly, her gaze steady and composed, establishing an immediate connection that emphasizes her personality over mere physical likeness.
Renoir employs his characteristic soft, feathery brushstrokes to render the textures of the fabric and the delicate features of her face, creating a sense of warmth and immediacy typical of his high Impressionist period. The composition balances the figure against a loosely suggested background, allowing the light to play across her skin and attire without harsh shadows. This portrait was created during a prolific decade for Renoir, reflecting his deep engagement with portraiture and his ability to capture the modern spirit of Parisian society.
It stands as a significant example of his work from the late 1870s, showcasing his mastery in blending formal portraiture with the spontaneous effects of light and color that defined the Impressionist movement.
Subject & Meaning
The painting centers on Jeanne Samary, who is depicted seated, adorned with a hat and dress, and engaging the viewer with a direct gaze. Her face is the primary focal point of the composition, rendered with an expression that conveys a sense of quiet composure. This intimate portrayal emphasizes her presence, inviting a personal connection with the subject.
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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.
