Artwork
The Cup of Chocolate
The Cup of Chocolate is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
About this work
The Cup of Chocolate is a painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
It features a young woman in a luxurious setting, drinking from a cup.
The painting was created in the late 19th century and has changed hands several times, including being acquired by the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2022.
You can learn more about this work at the museum: Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Overview
The Cup of Chocolate is an oil on canvas painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, created between 1877 and 1878. It portrays a young French bourgeois woman enjoying a beverage in an opulent setting.
Subject & Meaning
The subject, identified as Margot, is depicted in a moment of leisure, highlighting the comforts of the French bourgeoisie during the late 19th century. The specific beverage, either coffee or chocolate, underscores the everyday luxury of the era.
Technique & Style
Characteristically Impressionist, Renoir's use of oil paint captures the soft, warm glow of the scene, emphasizing the subject's tranquility and the richness of her surroundings.
History & Provenance
Originally in private collections, The Cup of Chocolate was acquired by the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2022, marking a significant addition to the museum's holdings of late 19th-century French art.
Context
The painting reflects the cultural and economic climate of late 19th-century France, where the emerging bourgeoisie could indulge in such simple yet luxurious pastimes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was born on 25 February 1841 in Limoges, the son of a tailor and a seamstress.
