Initial Group Ideas

Well, we've met together as a group a few times now and already the ideas are flowing fast as to how we go about deconstructing our painting, 'The Umbrellas'. We're all in agreement that Renoir was a people-watcher, enjoying capturing snapshot moments in everyday life through his paintings. This is particularly evident within 'The Umbrellas'. Research has taught us that Renoir began the painting around 1881 but altered it and completed it around 1886. Around the year 1881, Renoir is quoted to have said that he had 'travelled as far an impressionism could take him' and after a visit to Italy around 1882, he was inspired to seek a greater sense of solidarity within his work. It is after this enlightening trip that he finished the painting, making the figures toward the left hand side of the painting much more crisp and clear and much less of an impressionist style. The differences between the softer impressionist figures to the right of the painting and the more recently altered figures are plain to see. We think this makes the painting even more interesting, as it marked a real turning point in Renoir's attitude toward his work and was the start of a new era in his painting career.

Key Components Within The Painting:

• Women
• Children
• Umbrellas
• Rain
• Empty Basket
• Dull Colours
• 1880's Fashion
• Wooden Toy
• Hats
• Tree
• Facial Hair
• Content Expressions
• Busy Street
• Winter Clothing
• Boots
• Hands
• Some people looking directly at the viewer, others aren't.
• Everyday life.

Some Possible Symbolism:

• Dark Colours- Emphasise dull Paris day/mundane everyday life
• Umbrellas- Shield against nature. Even then we fought against nature even when it is something that should be without question.
• Empty Basket Lady- Featured in a couple of Renoir's works. Links to Renoir's sometimes obsessive behaviour toward women. Empty basket- black hole- dullness of everyday life.
• When figures look straight at the viewer, it invites in the audience.
• More focus on women than men- Admiration? Obsession?
• Composition- Umbrellas act like a frame or protective layer for the rest of the painting. Round toy and round faces complimented by curves of the umbrellas. Lots going on beneath the frame of umbrellas.
• People Watching- something Renoir must have done to create this painting.

Hierarchy:

•   People--->Objects (toys and baskets)--->Framed by umbrellas.