Two Sisters
Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Two Sisters (On the Terrace) (1881) is an oil painting measuring 100.4 × 80.9 cm, displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago. The work depicts two young girls against a bright suburban landscape in Chatou, showcasing Renoir’s impressionist skill in capturing light, color, and atmosphere. Though titled “Two Sisters,” the girls were not related. The painting is celebrated for its vibrant palette and tender depiction of youth and sunlight.
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| Dimensions | Original: 100.4 cm × 80.9 cm, Small: 80.3 cm x 64.7 cm, Medium: 120.5 cm x 97.1 cm, Large: 140.6 cm x 113.3 cm |
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Price range: $436.00 through $1,272.00
Two Sisters (On the Terrace), painted by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in 1881, is a luminous example of the artist’s celebration of life’s joyful and comforting moments. Renoir’s affection for brightness and warmth is vividly expressed in this beloved painting, which has become one of the most popular works in the Art Institute’s collection. The composition features two young girls, depicted against an evocative backdrop of Chatou, a suburban town where Renoir spent much of the spring of 1881.
The older girl, wearing a blue blouse and a straw boater hat, stands prominently in the center, her gaze wandering thoughtfully beyond her younger companion. The younger girl seems to have just entered the frame, lending a charming sense of spontaneity and life to the scene. Although titled Two Sisters, the girls were not actually sisters; the painting’s dealer chose this evocative title when exhibiting the work alongside others such as Acrobats at the Fernando Circus at the Seventh Impressionist Exhibition in 1882.
Technically, the painting is a tour de force. Renoir juxtaposes nearly life-sized, solid figures with a dreamlike landscape that feels more like a stage set than a natural environment. A sewing basket in the foreground on the left recalls a painter’s palette, symbolizing the vivid pigments Renoir expertly mixed, diluted, and manipulated to create the rich color harmonies throughout the painting.
This work exemplifies Renoir’s impressionist style, showcasing his mastery of light, color, and atmosphere. The warm sunlight and vibrant tones capture the fresh spirit of youth and the gentle warmth of a spring day. The painting’s fluid brushwork and balanced composition invite viewers to share in the serene beauty and tender intimacy of this moment.
Two Sisters (On the Terrace) is an oil on canvas measuring 100.4 × 80.9 cm. It is currently exhibited in Gallery 201 within the European Painting and Sculpture department of the Art Institute of Chicago. The painting was generously gifted through the Memorial Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Larned Coburn.