Artwork
Woman with a Fan
Woman with a Fan 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. Created in 1890, this oil on canvas by Pierre‑Augustin Renoir depicts a solitary female figure positioned before a striped backdrop.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1890, this oil on canvas by Pierre‑Augustin Renoir depicts a solitary female figure positioned before a striped backdrop. The work is part of the collection at the Clark Art Institute, where it is displayed among other late‑19th‑century French paintings.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a woman in a blue jacket with a crisp white collar, holds a handheld fan and looks directly at the viewer. A hat crowned with fresh blossoms and a nearby bouquet of pink and white flowers reinforce themes of refined leisure and quiet contemplation.
Technique & Style
Renoir employs a soft yet vivid palette, allowing the blue of the jacket to contrast with the warm tones of the flowers. Loose brushwork and subtle modeling give the scene a sense of depth, while the patterned wall recedes, emphasizing the three‑dimensional presence of the sitter.
History & Provenance
Painted toward the end of Renoir’s mature period, the canvas entered the Clark Art Institute’s holdings through a mid‑20th‑century acquisition. Its provenance traces back to private European collections before crossing the Atlantic, where it was eventually donated to the museum.
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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.
