Claude Monet reading by Auguste Renoir

Considered a vibrant homage to the artistic friendship uniting Impressionist masters, this close-up portrait captures a moment of masculine relaxation. The painter freezes the image of a colleague absorbed in reading amidst a dark and thoughtful ambiance. The canvas designated under the title “Claude Monet reading” illustrates Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s singular talent for highly authentic psychological portraiture. The work exudes strong presence and an intimate character.

The subject appears in a tight profile framing, wearing a slightly tilted dark bowler hat. He holds in his fingers an open newspaper whose light paper contrasts sharply with the surrounding dimness. From his mouth emerges the stem of a polished wooden pipe from which rises a plume of greyish smoke with purplish glints. A thick brown beard frames his face illuminated by a side light that highlights the modeling of his cheekbones. His dark clothing blends into the shadowy background, drawing all attention to the hands and face. A walking stick with a carved pommel also appears at the bottom of the composition.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir demonstrates exceptional skill in playing with chiaroscuro and applying pictorial substance. The broad and vigorous stroke accurately renders the consistency of smoke as well as the paper texture. His technique confers a natural dignity of great maturity upon the model.