This portrait, painted by Renoir between 1899 and 1906, presents the meditative profile of Ambroise Vollard, the celebrated art dealer, wearing a brilliant red scarf that serves as the focal point of the composition.
The artist’s quick, vibrant brushwork, characteristic of the Impressionist period, lends a particular intensity to the portrait. Warm tones of browns and reds dominate the palette, creating an intimate and contemplative atmosphere.
The downcast gaze suggests a moment of introspection, captured with remarkable sensitivity by the artist. The pictorial technique, both free and controlled, manifests in expressive brushstrokes that model the volumes of the face and clothing.
This work demonstrates great modernity in its pictorial treatment, combining spontaneity of gesture with a deep understanding of the sitter’s psychology. It stands as a perfect example of the freedom of execution characteristic of late 19th-century avant-garde movements.
Further information
- Portrait of Ambroise Vollard with Red Scarf, Auguste Renoir, c. 1899-1906
- 30 x 25 cm
- Petit Palais, Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris, exhibited in Ground Floor Garden Room 08, Paris Musées
- https://www.parismuseescollections.paris.fr/fr/petit-palais/oeuvres/portrait-d-ambroise-vollard-au-foulard-rouge
Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a major figure of French Impressionism. Coming from a modest background, he began as a porcelain painter before dedicating himself to canvas painting. His artistic trajectory was marked by constant evolution, from his early Impressionist works characterized by their luminosity and spontaneity, to his more classical period focusing on nudes and portraits. His distinctive technique, made of light touches and shimmering colors, conveys an optimistic vision of life, celebrating beauty, scenes of daily life, and especially female figures.
