Luncheon Of The Party Boat

Luncheon of the Boating Party

The painting Luncheon of the Boating Party by Pierre- Auguste Renoir sets the scene for casual mingling with friends and was said to be created in 1881. The arrangement of the painting shows the changing of the French society due to the industrial change, and also represents the Impressionist movement. Pierre created a masterpiece oil painting on canvas with rich color that reflects the time period and his impressionist style. This work is a representational piece, meaning that the work depicts something easily recognized by most people. The painting represents a group of young adults talking leisurely with bottles of wine, possibly after lunch, in what seems to be a happy, relaxed atmosphere. In his composition, Renoir blended various traditional categories of painting; still life, landscape, portraiture and genre. The finished product is a timeless masterpiece that successfully conveys the enchanting atmosphere of the Maison Fournaise, where a group of friends relax and enjoy good food and conversation on a Sunday afternoon (Artble, 2). I feel this artwork could be classified as figurative, meaning Renoir painted this artwork from real object sources; and also can be classified as realism, meaning this really could happen. Idealism is also shown through the work of the human forms and the curvature of the men's muscles and womanly curves. I would like to take an expressivist approach (A form of interpretive criticism), to describe and discuss this artwork.

By using shape, space, color and texture so craftily, Renoir created this masterpiece to create the illusion he saw. The colors used by Renoir are rich in many different shades and he contrasts them well. This colorful painting reflects the Impressionist style Renoir uses and also reflects the time period. The colors provide a sense of a calm atmosphere. The wine glasses and bottles add a unique image to the table, as so do the hats on both the women and men, giving us a sense of shapes used. Space is elaborated by the men and women overlapping one another in the space provided. The space looks cozy, but yet not overcrowded. The texture is defined by the look of the clothing, soft and wrinkled and also on the bare skin with golden tones. The light coming through the balcony that is landing on the table and on the skin is only adding to the color scheme and adds to the freshness of the painting. Renoir captured his friends in several different moods. Many look happy, admiring, confused, indifferent, but yet the overall the look of everyone is enjoyment in the moment. The colors, space, and tones invite you into the environment and make you want to walk up to the group and start conversing with possibly new friends.

Renoir also used balance, repetition, and movement as principles of design in this painting. Most of the bodies are standing on the right side causing symmetrical balance. The posts in the railing and the lines on the top of the canvas show an array of repetition. Movement is also shown through the bodies and faces of the people. All of this together makes this piece very appealing to the eye and very easy to look at.

Just by looking at this painting, I feel Renoir was trying to convey a message. I feel that he wants us to open our eyes to the group we are looking at and to just imagine what is being talked about and how serious is the conversation? The lighting makes me believe that the mood is light and airy, giving me a sense of tranquility in the colors and the tones. There is a large amount of light coming through the balcony and rays of sunlight show on the tablecloth and the men in the