Renoir at the Musée d’Orsay

Renoir, Bal du Moulin de la Galette, 1876, d'Orsay

At the Musée d’Orsay, there are two paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir that depict people dancing. His earlier work, Bal du Moulin de la Galette, 1876, is a leisure scene filled with people and activity. Despite the busy nature of the painting, Renoir is still able to infuse it with sweet little details like the chandeliers hanging above and the little girl’s blue bow located on the painting’s left side. The people towards the front of the painting are the most individualized because they are the closest. Although they seem oblivious to the fact that they are being watched, the viewer does not feel intrusive because the figures appear to be too caught up in what they are doing to notice. No one is looking directly at the viewer. One person is seen writing, representative of the French bohemian culture of the time, while the backs of the others are turned away. As the eye travels further back into the work’s background, people become more anonymous and less detailed. Since there are so many people, figures turn into brushstrokes and dots on the canvas. Instead of the painting’s focus being on the characters, Renoir plays with light to create a sense of movement. Dashes of light combined with pink and blue shadows convey the idea of music and motion. Although the viewer cannot see any musicians, they know that there must be music playing.

Renoir, Danse à la Campagne, 1883, d'Orsay

In contrast, Renoir’s later painting, Danse à la Campagne, 1883, Musée d’Orsay, is more intimate and individualized. There is less of an emphasis on light, and the brushstrokes used are less frantic than in his other work. In addition, the colors appear to be smoother and not as textured. In this painting, Renoir captures a private moment shared between two people. The figures have just finished a meal, evident from the messy tablecloth and used utensils in the painting’s right corner. Instead of worrying about cleaning up dinner, the characters are more concerned about enjoying the moment. The man is relishing his companion so much that he does not notice that he has lost his hat while dancing. His yellow straw hat has fallen, towards the work’s right corner. To the left of the man, a face is seen looking up at the figures. Although the couple does not realize it, they are being watched from both directions—the anonymous face peaking in from behind them and by the viewers looking directly at the painting. Perhaps Renoir is making a statement about privacy and how even though one might think that one is alone, someone is always watching. As a result, it is impossible to escape the gaze of others.

*Picture of Bal du Moulin: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/collections/works-in-focus/search.html?no_cache=1&zoom=1&tx_damzoom_pi1%5BshowUid%5D=4038

*Picture of Danse: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/collections/works-in-focus/search.html?no_cache=1&zoom=1&tx_damzoom_pi1%5BshowUid%5D=108820