Dancer Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919)

Description of the painting "Dancer" by Pierre Auguste Renoir

Renoir is a strong representative of Impressionism in painting. In 1874 he painted his famous painting "The Dancer". In it we can fully see the artist’s rejection of a clear outline, we see a blurred background that only enhances the impression of movement. Renoir used paints, mostly pastel colors, which repelled light. Through their use he was able to create a kind of glow in his paintings.

The picture shows in the center of the painting a young girl who is dressed in a suit of ballerina. She stands half-turned, with her feet in position 4 (from the ballet), her left shoulder casually turned back. Her whole pose and the audience and says that the girl loves to do this kind of art. Renoir was able to convey the weightlessness of the ballet tutu, to show how transparent the fabric of her costume is. To convey the lightness of the garment, the author uses a large number of light strokes, which seem to create a soft contour. The girl’s skin is very light and almost snow-white and it is very advantageously shaded by the small ornaments on her neck and hand. The background is specifically chosen by the artist in such a way that there is a contrast between the light figure and the velvet shadows.

Renoir wanted to show the young ballerina not in the image, but in the role of herself. The artist gives great importance to her eyes - a little sad, but this makes the girl no less attractive. We can note how tender and reverent she poses in front of the artist.

Today, "Dancer" is kept in Washington, in the National Gallery of Art.