Who painted Woman in a Park?

Woman in a Park was painted by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in 1866.

Where can I see Woman in a Park?

Woman in a Park is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Woman in a Park?

Woman in a Park is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Woman in a Park?

Museum-quality prints of Woman in a Park are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Woman in a Park

Pierre-Auguste Renoir , 1866

Woman in a Park is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right: R

About this work

Technique & Style

The painting's compact dimensions suggest an intimate, direct handling of the subject, typical of the artist's early portrait practice.

Woman in a Park is an oil painting on canvas executed by Auguste Renoir in 1866. Measuring 26.1 by 16.1 centimetres, the small-scale portrait belongs to the genre of portraiture. The work was created during Renoir's early period, when he was developing his technique within the emerging Impressionist circle.

The painting's compact dimensions suggest an intimate, direct handling of the subject, typical of the artist's early portrait practice. The oil medium on canvas support was standard for Renoir's paintings of this era, allowing for the layered, fluid brushwork that would characterize his mature style. The work is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

History & Provenance

Renoir painted Woman in a Park in 1866, an oil on canvas portrait measuring 26.1 by 16.1 cm, which entered the National Gallery of Art collection in Washington, D.C. The painting's early ownership is traced to dealer Ambroise Vollard, who held it before it passed to Capt. Edward H. Molyneux by 1952; the work was exhibited from his collection that year. In August 1955 it was sold to Ailsa Mellon Bruce, who later bequeathed it to the National Gallery of Art in 1970. No documentation of a specific commission survives.

Overview

This oil painting by Auguste Renoir, titled Woman in a Park, dates from 1866. It presents a solitary figure within a natural setting, characteristic of the artist's early engagement with portraiture and outdoor scenes. The work exemplifies his developing approach to capturing human presence amidst a serene landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a woman standing amidst a verdant park landscape. She is attired in a light-hued, striped dress, complemented by a hat and a parasol held in one hand, while the other is gently raised to her forehead. This posture, combined with her elegant dress, conveys a sense of poise and sophistication. The surrounding trees and grass contribute to an atmosphere of calm and natural beauty.