Paris, 1863–1906

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

La Loge

1874

Oil on canvas, 31 1/2 × 25 in. The Courtauld Gallery, London

Pierre-Auguste Renoir (French, 1841–1919). Look at the black stripes of the dress: black is used as a strong color, not just for shadow.

Look at

• Black stripes and white silk make the strongest contrast in the picture.
• The blacks are brushed with visible strokes, so they look soft, not flat.
• The woman's face is smooth and clear, while the man behind her is looser and darker.
• Pink flowers at her chest and in her hair add soft touches of color.

• The models were Renoir's brother Edmond and a model known as Nini.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (colour matched to the Courtauld Gallery image) · Public domain (faithful reproduction of a public-domain 2D work)