Renoir's composition is filled with triangular and V-shaped elements which have softly defined efges. The base of one of the triangles is determined by the shadows falling across th lower center of the painting while the branches of the trees bending over the path form the other two sides; the tower in the background points toward the apex of this triangle. Intersecting V's are formed by the twisting branches which lead the viewer's eyes back into space as do the alternating light and dark areas in the central portion between two clumps of trees. The V's of the branches are not rigid, but rather curvilinear.
Renoir's colors seem to melt into each other, and even though cool greens and blues predominate with only accents of red in the roofs of the distant buildings, the overall effect is one of warmth and light.
Source: Bulletin, January-February, 1982.
Exhibition History"Highlights from Three Collections: The Bohen, Coffin and Cowles Collections," Des Moines Art Center, July 8 - Sept. 11, 1983
"Selections from the Collection of Mrs. Fred Bohen," Des Moines Art Center, Nov. 13, 1977 - Jan. 1, 1978
"A Collection in the Making, Paintings and Graphic Arts from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bohen," Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nov. 12 - Dec. 9, 1967
"Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Fred O. Bohen," Des Moines Art Center, June 23 - Aug. 21, 1966
Published ReferencesDES MOINES ART CENTER: SELECTED PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES AND WORKS ON PAPER, Des Moines Art Center, 1985, ref. p.181, b/w ill. pl.116, p.180
DMAC Bulletin, Jan./Feb. 1982, cover ill.
Ambroise Vollard, TABLEAUX, PASTELS ET DESSINS DE PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR, Vol. I, Editions Ambroise Vollard, Paris, 1918, ill. pl.501 (entitled "Landscape")
"A Collection in the Making: Paintings and Graphic Arts from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bohen," Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, 1967, exh. cat. no.30
"Selections from the Collection of Mrs. Fred Bohen," Des Moines Art Center, 1977, exh. cat. no.14, color ill. no.14
