Artwork
The Source
The Source is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1906 and is held in the collection of the Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1906, The Source is an oil on canvas by Pierre‑Augustin Renoir, presently in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich. The composition presents a solitary nude figure set against a richly colored foliage backdrop, inviting the viewer into a quiet, intimate encounter.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a young woman with flowing blonde hair, her posture relaxed as she holds a white drape over one leg while her other hand rests lightly on her head. Her direct gaze and faint smile suggest a calm confidence, evoking themes of natural purity and gentle sensuality within an outdoor setting.
Technique & Style
Renoir employs his characteristic soft brushwork, layering delicate strokes to achieve a luminous, golden skin tone. The surrounding vegetation is rendered with vibrant greens punctuated by earthy browns and yellows, creating a harmonious contrast that enhances the figure’s warmth. The overall palette and handling reflect the late Impressionist sensibility of light and atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The painting was completed toward the end of Renoir’s career, a period marked by a return to more classical subjects rendered with his mature, fluid technique. After its creation, The Source entered private ownership before being acquired by the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s French Impressionist holdings.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was born on 25 February 1841 in Limoges, the son of a tailor and a seamstress.
