Artwork
Two Sisters
Two Sisters is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Created in 1881, this oil on canvas measures roughly 100.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1881, this oil on canvas measures roughly 100.5 by 81 centimeters and is part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection. The work portrays two young women seated on a terrace overlooking the Seine, their figures framed by foliage and a distant river. Renoau titled the piece “Les Deux Sœurs,” while its first owner, dealer Paul Durand‑Ruel, referred to it as “Sur la terrasse.”
Subject & Meaning
The composition features an older girl, identified as Jeanne Darlot, and a younger companion, neither of whom were sisters in reality. They sit side by side, the elder holding the younger’s hand, while a basket of wool balls rests nearby. Their direct gaze engages the viewer, suggesting an intimate, leisurely moment captured in an outdoor setting.
Technique & Style
Renoir employs loose, visible brushwork that accentuates the play of light on fabric and foliage. The palette is bright, with reds, blues, and whites contrasting against the green of the terrace railings and the muted tones of the river background. The handling of texture and color conveys a sense of movement and immediacy characteristic of his late‑Impressionist period.
History & Provenance
Renoir began the painting in April 1881 on the terrace of the Maison Fournaise in Chatou. By July 7 of that year, dealer Paul Durand‑Ruel purchased it for 1,500 francs. It debuted publicly at the seventh Impressionist exhibition in spring 1882 and entered the collection of collector Charles Ephrussi by 1883 before eventually reaching the Art Institute of Chicago.
Context
The work was executed shortly after Renoir completed his celebrated “Luncheon of the Boating Party” at the same Maison Fournaise location. The setting—a popular riverside leisure spot for Parisians—reflects the artist’s interest in contemporary social life and the pleasures of outdoor recreation during the early 1880s.
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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.
