Writing Lesson (La Leçon d'écriture)

Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

Renoir's portraits of children often derive considerable charm from the artist's ability to depict his subjects absorbed in a task. In this canvas, Renoir's youngest son, Claude, or "Coco," grasps a red pencil and focuses on a piece of paper while his beloved nursemaid Gabrielle looks on tenderly. The proximity and mirroring between the two subjects, among Renoir's favorite models, impart a palpable sense of intimacy, emphasizing their harmonious relationship. Looking back at the portraits painted by his father of him, Claude would remark: "To secure a little stillness, my father chose poses that allowed me to play or get interested in something."

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