Impressions of Friendship

Many families spend their summers away from home in warmer and calmer places; this has been a tradition for a long time. Argenteuil was this summer sanctuary for Monet and his family. As seen in this exhibit, Manet and Renoir accompanied the Monet family in their summer endeavors and spent a lot of time painting these moments in time while using the impressionist art styles of which they were significant developers. 

Impressionism is an art movement that started in France in the 1860s. This movement portrays “visual impressions of the moment” through vibrant colors and frothy textures. Within this exhibit, impressionism can be seen in Manet, Monet, and Renoir’s friendship through these vivid colors that can be seen in the selected artwork.  

Throughout these paintings, notice the different points of view displayed in some of the paintings that were painted in the same setting or in similar settings. Gathered from the number of works together, the friendships that these three carried were centered around their love for art and the impressionist movement. Although Manet and Renoir did not see eye to eye on everything, they still took part in this huge swing of ideals. Just like when we flip through our camera rolls and can see all of the people that we love and cherish, impressionist artists display their friendships in their art. 

 The Monet Family in Their Garden at Argenteuil 

1874 

Eduoard Manet 

Oil on Canvas 

24 x 39 ¼ in 

Located at: MET

Manet created this painting out in Monet’s garden at Argenteuil. His creamy brush strokes and rich colors as well as being at the scene or ‘in the moment’ show impressionism. Manet was known for his impact in the switch from realism to impressionism with his use of these techniques as well as his role in the group of impressionists. Manet would paint in one sitting so that he could have his models in front of him instead of realists who would take a long time in order for every layer of paint to dry. Manet was able to do this through the use of his technique called, “alla prima” which means “at once.” Manet painted Monet, Camille (wife to Monet), and Jean (son of Monet) many times. Monet wanted to create this particular image because of the lighting and vivid colors that were on display that afternoon. 

 Madame Monet and Her Son 

1874

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Oil on canvas

50.4 x 68 cm

Located at: Ailsa Mellon Bruce Collection 

The artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir was also good friends with the other two artists, although Manet was quite critical of him because he thought he was too young and not skilled enough. Gedo quotes Monet saying,“...Manet from time to time came over for a closer look at the canvas. Then he made a face, passed discreetly near me, and whispered in my ear about Renior: ‘He has no talent, that boy! Since you’re his friend, tell him to give up painting!” Because of this remark and seeing the differences between the two pieces of art, it is clear that Manet was a perfectionist and quite particular with his work and how others truly showed a moment to be realistic.

 Monet Painting in his garden at Argenteuil 

1873

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Oil on Canvas 

61 x 50 cm 

Located at: USEUM and Wikiart

Impressionism was a category within the avant-garde movement where the artists turned to the places, people, and objects of their time. Renoir uses this idea of taking the people around him and putting them in the painting that impressionists used. This painting also takes the position of bringing the viewer into the painting, it has the feeling that by viewing the painting you are a passerby stopping to watch what is being created.

Manet Painting in Monet’s Garden in Argenteuil 

Claude Monet 

1874

Oil on canvas

Found on: Wikidata

Along with Renior’s “Monet Painting in his garden at Argenteuil,” Monet is documenting a moment spent with his friend. The pattern that is seen between these two paintings is that they are both used to show time in their life that was probably significant and meaningful to them. Although this painting is not as bright as other impressionist paintings, the frothy feeling seen in the textures of the paints are evident and even though the colors are dim they are still meaningful in telling a true story. The sun is peeking through the tip of the painting showing the vibrant day outside of the shade where Monet and Manet were probably painting. 

Monet in his Studio Boat 

1874

Edouard Manet

Oil on Canvas

82.5 x 100.5 cm

Found on: wikiart 

Monet and Camille are shown seated on Monet’s studio boat overlooking Argentuil’s beautiful waters. The position that Manet was painting makes the viewer wonder where Manet was positioned while painting this. It is quite evident that Manet would paint in the moment and did not like to rush through his work either. The fact that Monet is also painting makes it so that Manet is able to take as much time as he wants. 

The Banks of the Seine at Argenteuil 

1874

Edouard Manet 

Oil on Canvas

63.2 x 103 cm

Found on: wikiart and The Courtauld Institute of Art 

Many critics have said that the impressionists were trying to create a picture of what already was, to create nature just the way it was at that time, and to show the movement of real life. This painting along with many other Manet paintings show Camille and Jean, Monet’s wife and son. In these paintings of Camille and Jean, they display a moment in time and displaying nature realistically through the use of vibrant colors, setting forth a leisure summer afternoon.