Paris, 1863–1906

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Bal du moulin de la Galette

1876

Oil on canvas, 51 3/4 × 69 1/2 in. Musée d'Orsay, Paris

Look at the spots of light on the dancers: sun through the leaves is painted as loose, pale patches.

Look at

• The patches cross the figures without following their shapes, so light and figure blend.
• Dark blue jackets and hats make strong shapes among the pale patches.
• Strokes of blue, pink and yellow repeat across the whole crowd, tying it together.

• Some of Renoir's friends posed for it.

Image: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain