The Dreamer
Exhibitions & Events
Highlighting one work of art from Renoir and Friends: Luncheon of the Boating Party, on view October 7, 2017-January 7, 2018.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, The Dreamer (La Rêveuse), 1879. Oil on canvas 20 1â8 à 24 3â8 in. Saint Louis Art Museum, Museum purchase
The model for this painting is thought to be Alphonsine Fournaise, whom Renoir often saw at the Maison Fournaise in Chatou in the late 1870s. She posed for him regularly during the years leading up to Luncheon of the Boating Party. Although there is no direct evidence that Alphonsine modeled for the young woman leaning on the railing of the balcony in the grand composition, she may have occasionally joined the clientele at the Fournaise in such a way.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, On the Shore of the Seine (Paysage bords de Seine), c. 1879. Oil on linen; 5 1/2 Ã 9 1â8 in. The Baltimore Museum of Art, Saidie A. May Bequest, Courtesy of the Firemanâs Fund Insurance Company
Installed just to the left of this lovely portrait is a smaller, almost sketch-like painting. This quickly executed oil study was probably a gift from Renoir to Alphonsine Fournaise to thank her for modeling for him. In 1864 she married Louis Joseph Papillon, and we know that a Madame Papillon once owned this piece.
