The painting "La Promenade" by Pierre-Auguste Renoir is an example of fleeting happiness

"La Promenade" is a painting created by the exceptional social portraitist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The subject depicted on the canvas is simple—a gallant couple taking a walk in the fresh air. The picturesque scene is permeated with a sensually joyful atmosphere and musical colors. In the foreground stands a full-length lady dressed in a lavish gown. At a distance from her stands a young man in an elegant suit and hat. His figure is slightly hidden in the shadow of the trees, with his face obscured. The obstacle that arises in the lady's path allows the gentleman to show his care for his companion. The cavalier extends his hand to the beauty, helping her to step over an invisible object. The action takes place on a summer day in the shady part of a park, amidst lush greenery of shrubs and trees. The work is painted with short brushstrokes, which allow for the examination of small details: the heroine's face, folds of clothing, and the texture of vegetation. Skillful use of light and shadow, tonal contrasts, enabled the artist to create volume and dynamics. The painting successfully combines a wide range of green shades with pale violet, tinged with hints of blue. This chromatic combination looks harmonious and draws attention to the light and fresh figures, imbuing strength and a positive mood.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir. La Promenade, 1870

• Title of the painting: "La Promenade" (French: « La Promenade »).
• Artist: Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919).
• Year of creation: 1870.
• Size: 81 x 65 cm.
• Style: Impressionism.
• Genre: Portrait.
• Technique: Oil painting.
• Material: Canvas.
• Location: J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, California.

Auguste Renoir was a brilliant French painter, working at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a graphic artist and sculptor, one of the brightest representatives of Impressionism, a master of social portraiture who found success among the wealthy Parisians. The artist did not favor heroic or dramatic subjects. He celebrated ordinary life with its modest beauty and remained an irreparable admirer of sunlight and human happiness until the end of his days.

Art historians believe that the figure of the young man was posed by the landscape painter Alfred Sisley. The female model was the chosen one of the French writer, musician, and passionate collector Edmond Maître. Until 1989, the artwork was held by private individuals, and then it was acquired by the Getty Museum through public auctions. The masterpiece was valued at $17.7 million, making it the most expensive work by the artist at that time.

Auguste Renoir's painting "La Promenade" continues to captivate the attention of the public. Viewers enjoy examining the artwork, where a touching fleeting event unfolds.