I had the pleasure of gaping at this fantastic painting while it was on tour at LACMA.
It’s strange… when I studied the painting in Art History class, great things were mentioned about the lighting, composition, and plein air painting… yet… the most fascinating discovery was pointed out to me by my English prof. Almost an example of art imitating life, each person in this painting is longing for another — and not the one they’re with. Look closely at it…. Is the pup impervious to this mad attraction? Perhaps he was longing for the freedom to romp in the Seine on a hot summer’s day? Only the man in the top center (friend of Renoir — poet, Jules Laforgue) seems to break the cycle — staring out of the painting at the viewer!
You can find out more about Luncheon of the Boating Party & it’s creator, Renoir, at The Phillips Collection.
