Artwork
A Box at the Theater (At the Concert)
A Box at the Theater (At the Concert) is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Clark Art Institute.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1890, this oil painting by Pierre‑Auguste Renoir portrays a theatrical box scene. The work is part of the collection at the Clark Art Institute, where it remains on view as an example of Renoir’s late‑period portraiture.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a woman dressed in a black gown with lace‑trimmed sleeves, her posture poised as she rests her right elbow on the box’s edge. Beside her, a young girl in a white dress holds a bouquet of pink flowers and studies a sheet of paper, suggesting a quiet, intimate moment within a public setting.
Technique & Style
Renoir employs a muted, darkened backdrop punctuated by subtle hints of red and gold, allowing the figures’ attire—particularly the pink flower at the woman’s neckline and the white gloves—to stand out. The brushwork balances delicate detail in the lace and fabric with broader, atmospheric strokes that convey the dim theater lighting.
History & Provenance
Since its completion, the painting has been held by the Clark Art Institute. Documentation traces its acquisition to the museum’s early 20th‑century collecting efforts, though earlier ownership records remain limited.
Context
The work reflects Renoir’s interest in contemporary leisure scenes, aligning with the broader Impressionist fascination with modern life and social venues such as theaters and concerts. The composition captures the quiet observation of performance rather than the spectacle itself.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was born on 25 February 1841 in Limoges, the son of a tailor and a seamstress.
