Artwork
Regatta at Argenteuil
Regatta at Argenteuil is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work is housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.
The painting shows a lively riverside scene of a regatta on the Seine near Argenteuil, capturing the recreational pastime of boating popular among Parisian society in the 1870s. Renoir emphasizes the effects of light and movement, using bright colors and fluid brushwork to convey the shimmering water and wind‑driven sails, symbolizing both leisure and the fleeting nature of modern life.
The composition juxtaposes figures on the riverbank with boats cutting across the water, reflecting the social activities of the Impressionist era and the artist’s interest in contemporary urban leisure.
The work is housed in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Technique & Style
Renoir employed oil paint on canvas for this work, creating a layered surface typical of his Impressionist technique. Visible brushwork captures fleeting light across water, while compositional balance emphasizes atmospheric effects over precise detail. The painting measures 32.4 cm by 45.7 cm, reflecting its horizontal format suited to depicting river movement.
The surface exhibits subtle craquelure consistent with age but remains structurally sound, with no major losses documented. Color application demonstrates broken color and rapid handling characteristic of plein air practice, contributing to the scene’s vibrant, impressionistic quality.
History & Provenance
Painted by Auguste Renoir in 1874, Regatta at Argenteuil was first owned by the artist Claude Monet and subsequently by Monet's wife, Blanche Hoschede. The work may have passed through Galerie Charpentier in Paris in 1945, though by that date it may already have belonged to Captain Edward H. Molyneux, who is recorded as a lender without specifying individual works. Molyneux, based in Paris, is documented as the owner by 1952, when the painting was included in an exhibition of his collection held at the National Gallery of Art.
On 15 August 1955, Molyneux sold the painting to Ailsa Mellon Bruce, who bequeathed it in 1970 to the National Gallery of Art, where it remains in the collection.
The provenance chain is catalogued in the Dauberville raisonné (vol. I, no. 128).
Regatta at Argenteuil is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The work entered the museum in 1970 as a bequest from Ailsa Mellon Bruce, who had purchased it from Captain Edward H. Molyneux in August 1955. Prior to this, the painting belonged to the family of Claude Monet and was possibly exhibited at the Galerie Charpentier in Paris in 1945 while in Molyneux's possession.
The artwork has a documented exhibition history including a 1952 show of the Molyneux collection hosted at the National Gallery of Art, where Captain Molyneux was listed as a lender.
Overview
Auguste Renoir’s oil on canvas, Regatta at Argenteuil, was painted in 1874. The work captures a bustling river scene near the Paris suburb of Argenteuil, where a fleet of white‑sided sailboats glides under a light‑blue, partly clouded sky. Figures line the banks, observing the race, while the water reflects shifting light and color.
Context
Created during the early phase of Impressionism, Regatta at Argenteuil reflects the movement’s interest in modern life and outdoor leisure. Argenteuil, a frequent subject for Renoir and his contemporaries, served as a nearby retreat where artists could study natural light and everyday scenes away from the Parisian studio.
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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.
