248 - THE CIRCLE OR STUDIO OF PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR (1841–1919)

THE CIRCLE OR STUDIO OF PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR (1841–1919) The Olive Grove and View of Haut-de-Cagnes Sketch, oil on canvas mounted on cardboard. This plein air study, bearing the thumbtack holes from the studio where it was hung, captures the essence of the tree-lined park bathed in the dazzling light of late morning. In the foreground, venerable, century-old olive trees spread their sinuous trunks and branches, one of which is adorned with particularly luminous touches of bright yellow-green. The shadows cast on the ground, punctuated by highlights of blue and purple, trace the grassy topography of the hill. In the background, the sprawling silhouette of the warm-roofed houses of the medieval village stands out against the panorama. The brushwork is lively and dynamic, favoring broad, brushed strokes for the relief and a generous texture for the trees’ foliage. Dimensions: 18.5 x 27.5 cm.