Two Young Girls Reading Pierre-Auguste Renoir Buy Art Prints Now
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Tom Gurney BSc (Hons) is an art history expert with over 20 years experience
Published on June 19, 2020 / Updated on October 14, 2023
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Two Girls Reading is a painting done by Pierre-Auguste Renoir between the year 1890 and 1891. The oil on canvas painting is an interesting painting to study among Renoir's works of art

The painting encompassed both impressionist painting and classical painting techniques. Towards the late years of his painting career, Renoir moved away from impressionist painting only and tried to get more creative by mixing classical painting techniques that he had learned all through from when he was a kid and the impressionist painting techniques he had advocated for earlier.

Two girls reading is a great example of a mix of the two completely divergent painting techniques. Classical paintings used to pay a lot of attention to idealized images in the painting as opposed to light and contracts and their effect on color. Renoir in this painting mixed these two aspects of creating a painting that has been a point of reference for long.

Two girls reading is a phenomenal painting. The blend of classical painting and impressionist painting techniques is amazing. Renoir’s works in impressionist painting were, however, more famous. Two girls reading is more of an idealized portrait rather than an accessories set.

As the name suggests, it depicts the images of two girls reading a book. The balance between light and contrast for the colors used is still great, bringing out the impressionist aspect of it perfectly. The painting captures the light falling on the girls perfectly.

He puts the background in perfect blend with the images and brings out clearly the subject matter that is the girls. The painting is a perfect piece that would go far and beyond inspiring and influencing the careers of many painters. The painting is still characteristic of large brushstrokes but still is able to have a great ambiance around it.

Renoir was involved in both classical and impressionist painting and was, therefore, able to work and interact with many painters. Renoir went to art school in Paris and was under the guidance of renowned landscape painter Charles Gleyre. Under Charles Gleyre, he would meet other young painters such as Alfred Sisley, Frédéric Bazille, and Claude Monet. He worked with this painters for a long time.

They together launched an exhibition of impressionist paintings after their paintings had been rejected at the Salon. The salon was a very popular exhibition at the time which gave young painters a platform to showcase their prowess.

Renoir was largely influenced by the instructions of his instructor in art school, and hence his love for painting landscapes. He also got inspiration from other modern painters such as Camille Pissarro and Edouard Manet.

Renoir did a lot of paintings that rose to global acclaim and inspired painters across generations. His works in impressions were the most popular. Among his popular paintings is:

Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette - the painting, otherwise known as Bal du Moulin de la Galette was done by Renoir in the year 1876. It depicts an open-air dancehall cafe that was close to Renoir’s home at the time, and one that he likes to visit.