By the Seashore

Renoir's journey to Italy in 1881–1882 provided him with inspiration from Renaissance painting. His style underwent a significant transformation as a result and diverged significantly from his earlier Impressionist approach. The meticulously rendered features of the subject's face in this portrait make this very clear. However, the background's loose brushstrokes are evocative of his older Impressionist approach.

Instead of painting outside, he did it in his studio. To create the beach scene, Renoir drew inspiration from his study of the Normandy coast. Aline Charigot, who was Renoir's girlfriend at the time, is the subject of the picture. Later, the two got married, and they had three kids together.

Year: 1883

French Title: Au Bord de La Mer

Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, USA