The Garden in Cagnes | Renoir, 1908

This painting by Renoir is one of his more impressionistic works. It is a soft depiction of a garden with hard edges blurred in quick, confident brushwork. It feels both visually familiar and out of focus in the true sense of Impressionism. Notice again how light and shadow infuse this work and notice again how little is actually painted to imply a person. Later in his career Renoir returned to a more detailed and representational style lamenting that he hadn’t truly painted anything for years.

This garden scene by Renoir seems another reminder of our need for quiet and solitude always and especially now. There is so much to trouble our thoughts and fill our hearts with concern. We are surrounded by huge, provoking issues stalled in staunch, opposing positions. We are surrounded by circles and circles of words that lack a bridge mechanism or even a glimmer of hope for progress as the battle lines are drawn in every direction.

We all need time in a still place like this garden. We need a place that is not of the noise of this world where we can sit in the peace that Jesus left with us. I hope a place comes to your mind and heart as you look at this Renoir. I hope it offers a breath of God that is yours to claim without a sound.

Sandy Prouty