Who painted Portrait of Jeanna Samary?

Portrait of Jeanna Samary was painted by Auguste Renoir in 1890.

Where can I see Portrait of Jeanna Samary?

Portrait of Jeanna Samary is held by Hermitage Museum.

What movement is Portrait of Jeanna Samary?

Portrait of Jeanna Samary is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Portrait of Jeanna Samary

Auguste Renoir , 1890

Portrait of Jeanna Samary is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.

About this work

Overview

Portrait of Jeanna Samary is an 1878 oil on canvas painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, depicting the actress Jeanne Samary. It is part of the Hermitage Museum's collection in Saint Petersburg.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays Jeanne Samary, an actress, in a contemplative indoor setting. Her attire, a long, light-colored dress with puffy sleeves and a high collar, alongside her poised demeanor with hands clasped together, conveys a sense of serene elegance.

Technique & Style

Renoir employed thick, textured brushstrokes, characteristic of the impasto technique, to create a soft, almost fuzzy appearance, notably in the subject's dress. This approach adds depth and visual interest to the composition.

History & Provenance

Initially exhibited at the 1879 Paris Salon, the painting received little critical acclaim. It was later seized by the Soviet state after the October Revolution as part of Ivan Morozov's collection and eventually integrated into the Hermitage Museum.

Context

Created in response to the critical disappointment of Renoir's previous portrait of Samary, this work aimed to redeem the artist's reputation, though it similarly failed to impress critics at the time.