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Nov 13, 2013 Duane rated it really liked it If you have an interest in art or art history, and you like historical fiction, then you will enjoy this one. This is a story of Augueste Renior as he painted The Luncheon of the Boating Party, who the models were and how they come to be in the painting. How historically accurate these events are I don't know, but Vreeland weaves an interesting storyline that fits with the gaiety of the paintings subject. This is one of those paintings that makes you say, "I wish I had been there". If you have an interest in art or art history, and you like historical fiction, then you will enjoy this one. This is a story of Augueste Renior as he painted The Luncheon of the Boating Party, who the models were and how they come to be in the painting. How historically accurate these events are I don't know, but Vreeland weaves an interesting storyline that fits with the gaiety of the paintings subject. This is one of those paintings that makes you say, "I wish I had been there". ...more
May 12, 2016 Connie G rated it really liked it Pierre August Renoir was struggling financially in 1880,
reduced to painting portraits of upper class women but wanting to work on a more satisfying project. He decided to paint "Luncheon of the Boating Party", a large painting worthy of being hung in the prestigious Salon. Renoir gathered up his friends and acquaintances to pose on a series of Sunday afternoons on the terrace of a restaurant along the Seine. Renoir wanted to depict people enjoying life in a beautiful location. He felt committed Pierre
August Renoir was struggling financially in 1880, reduced to painting portraits of upper class women but wanting to work on a more satisfying project. He decided to paint "Luncheon of the Boating Party", a large painting worthy of being hung in the prestigious Salon. Renoir gathered up his friends and acquaintances to pose on a series of Sunday afternoons on the terrace of a restaurant along the Seine. Renoir wanted to depict people enjoying life in a beautiful location. He felt committed to
Impressionism, but did not want to follow some of the newer Impressionists who were depicting the miserable, seedier side of life. French society was in transition ten years after the Franco-Prussian War with more time for leisure, and more modern ways of expression. Some war veterans and a war widow were among the models for Renoir's masterpiece. The descriptions of painting were very sensual with Renoir declaring, "I only want to paint women I love, or imagine I could love." Several of the
models had a romantic interest in the artist, including the woman who would eventually become his wife. A cross-section of society is shown in the book--from the wealthy women entertaining at their afternoon salons to the performers of the Folies-Bergere to the poor prostitutes of Montmartre. People are seen working and boating along the Seine. The only sections of the book that seemed overly long were the descriptions of two afternoons of boat races. Overall, this was an excellent work of
historical fiction that transported the reader to the arts community in 1880s Paris.
Luncheon of the Boating Party (2007) **** This is an Acrostic Poem Review! **** [Clue: Number of figures depicted in
Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party"] France in the summer of 1880- new decade, new ideas, new society- La Vie Moderne! Over the Seine perches the balcony of La Maison Fournaise, the perfect setting for an ambitious new painting that will likely okay a party in determining the future of Impressionism. Using his closest friends **** This is an Acrostic Poem Review! **** [Clue: Number of figures depicted in Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party"] France in the summer of 1880- new decade, new ideas, new society- La Vie Moderne! Over the Seine perches the balcony of La Maison Fournaise, the perfect setting for an ambitious new painting that will likely okay a party in determining the future of Impressionism. Using his closest friends, art associates, lovers, and past lovers as models, Renoir
sets the scene for a painting that takes from both the Impressionism and Modern Art styles and portrays a mixture of French social classes. The next best thing to a plane ticket and time travel, Vreeland transports her readers, immerses them in Renoir's life and world, and guides them alongside the ins-and-outs; the haphazardly miraculous process of creating a painting masterpiece. Even though some side stories were gratuitous, character romances overdone, and the book a tad
drawn-out, Exhaustive research by Vreeland evinces accuracy and plausibility- Not to mention her highly descriptive, often sensual writing that invigorates even the most reluctant art appreciator! Further Reading:
I love historical fiction and I was really intrigued when I found this book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The premise of a book set in bohemian Paris which delves into the lives and conversations of Renoir and the models for his famous painting was irresistable. While Vreeland's research is impressive and provides a lot of detail, it is done in a slow and awkward way. The book provided insight into Renoir's thought process and what it was like to be an impressionist painter. I also found h I love historical fiction and I was really intrigued when I found this book. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The premise of a book set in bohemian Paris which delves into the lives and conversations of Renoir and the models for his famous painting was irresistable. While Vreeland's research is impressive and provides a lot of detail, it is done in a slow and awkward way. The book provided insight into Renoir's thought process and what it was like to be an impressionist painter. I also found her depiction of other artists of the time and the rivalry/interaction to be interesting. The painting has always seemed so alive to me with a great story to tell. The book just never reaches the point of great storytelling. Some parts are interesting, but it was actually a struggle to finish. To me, there is too much insignificant background and detail without enough character and story development. I would have been better served by an art history lesson and left to my own imaginings about the people and events of the boating party.p ...more
Jan 19, 2010 Chrissie rated it really liked it This book is excellent. What exactly does that mean? I guess that puts it between very good and amazing. Why is it short of amazing? It is hard to feel an emotional connection to a group of about twenty characters. First you have to get to know all of them. The further you read into the story the more attached the reader feels for the numerous characters. There is not
one character that is bland. Each has an interesting story to tell. Still there are just too many, and this being a book of histo This book is excellent. What exactly does that mean? I guess that puts it between very good and amazing. Why is it short of amazing? It is hard to feel an emotional connection to a group of about twenty characters. First you have to get to know all of them. The further you read into the story the more attached the reader
feels for the numerous characters. There is not one character that is bland. Each has an interesting story to tell. Still there are just too many, and this being a book of historical fiction the author had to stick to the facts. I am glad she stuck to the facts! There is an author's note at the end that carefully points out what is unknown and where Vreeland has filled in with her own imagination, but based on thorough research. Half way through I checked out internet; I just could not wait to
the end to “know all”. The title of this book and its theme is one painting by Auguste Renoir: Le Déjeuner des Canotiers or in English The Luncheon of the Boating Party. The French link at Wiki is in fact better than the English, so I have included both: I am not going to repeat the details about this marvelous painting, today part of the Phillips Collection in Washington D.C. It was painted in 1880-1881. What this book does is accurately and interestingly show you how the picture came into being, how each model was chosen. All were in fact Renoir’s friends, some more so than others. The
painting contains fourteen figures. One is an unknown - either Renoir himself or Guy de Maupassant. Each of these figures is depicted. You learn of their personalities, their quirks and talents, their occupations, their history and even what happens to them after the completion of the painting. It covers Parisian life, in the 1880s and the Franco-Prussian War and the Siege of Paris. Why this? Well because this war shaped these people. The book also covers Impressionism. How it began and changed
and where it was at this date. And of course the Salon des Beaux-Arts, the official exhibition organized by the Académie des Beaux-Arts, the traditional art forum still firmly established. All of the competing artists are discussed. The future of Impressionism was up for grabs. How are paintings to be sold? Through the Salon or by private art dealers? The text is not dry and it does NOT read as a text book. You learn of artisans’ life in Montmartre, models and actresses and art dealers and
fêtes. I adored these descriptions. There is a wonderful description of the yearly boat races held at the island of Chatou, in the Seine outside Paris, but that is part of the story so you must read the book for that. There are love affairs and jousts and competitions and dancing on barges at night and abortions and even a duel. You learn about what motivated Renoir. You learn of his future wife and even a bit about the years after the painting, old age and death. Some of the lines are as
pretty as the picture itself. This book is interesting and it is engaging. A remarkable piece of historical fiction. It is my favorite title by this author. The narration by Karen White was not good. This book should have been narrated by someone who really knows French. Let's just leave it at that. Otherwise, if it were not for the terrible French I think I might have liked the narration. That might mean that you will not be upset if you don't know how French should sound.
I really wanted to like this book. BUT it was over written, much too long, too much flowery description; trying to convey the thoughts and feelings of an artist came across to me as melodramatic and
artificial.
Jul 25, 2007 Susan rated it it was ok Uncle! At pg. 162 of a 429 pg. book and have found little to no inspiration to continue. I don't remember thinking much of Vreeland's Girl in Hyacinth Blue either. Uncle! At pg. 162 of a 429 pg. book and have found little to no inspiration to continue. I don't remember thinking much of Vreeland's Girl in Hyacinth Blue either. ...more
4.5 stars, definitely a top favourite read so far this year! Luncheon of the Boating Party Have you ever looked at a painting and wished it could come to life? That it would start moving, and that you could get to know the people in it? I haven't. I've never been particularly interested in art history or paintings in more than a passing sense, beyond finding certain styles beautiful and holding in high esteem anyone talented enough to produce colourful landscapes and immortalize people by wiel 4.5 stars, definitely a top favourite read so far this year!Luncheon of the Boating Party Have you ever looked at a painting and wished it could come to life? That it would start moving, and that you could get to know the people in it? I haven't. I've never been particularly interested in art history or paintings in more than a passing sense, beyond finding certain styles beautiful and holding in high esteem anyone talented enough to produce colourful landscapes and immortalize people by wielding a brush. As someone who can't draw a decent stickman to save her life, I've always been in awe of painters, but never really interested in the art. Susan Vreeland's excellent novel, however, might just change that. I suddenly find myself wanting to know a great deal more about art and paintings and Impressionism. Luncheon of the Boating Party was a brilliant, completely immersive novel that read exactly as you would expect "reading" a painting would be like. The people in that painting, they're not just models, they're people. People who lived and breathed and had lives and made time on summer Sundays to pose for Renoir, to help create this beautiful masterpiece. Nous. Us. Luncheon of the Boating Party, although narrated mostly through Renoir's point-of-view, is about everyone involved in the creation of this painting. It's as much a novel of life as it is a celebration of art. La vie moderne. That's what it's all about. Paris in the 1880s, the scene of artists and intellects and authors and actresses, of new ideas inspired by the past and hinting at the future, the Paris of street cafés and cafés crèmes, of cabaret dancing and prestigious Salons, of bustles and top hats and boating dresses, and above all, of leisure summer days along the Seine. Vreeland shows you all this and takes you right on the terrace at la Maison Fournaise, where Renoir beautifully captured a single moment in time, of people chatting and drinking and having a good time. The painting is not supposed to tell a story, just illustrate a moment. The story is Vreeland's work. She introduces us to all the models you see in the painting, even some who didn't make it on the final masterpiece. Most of them were Renoir's friends, acquaintances, or former lovers. There's Alphonse and Alphonsine, whose parents own the Maison Fournaise, his good friend and fellow painter Gustave, the art critic Charles Ephrussi, aspiring author Paul Lhôte, and the beautiful actresses, Jeanne Samary, Ellen Andrée, and Angèle. There was also the annoying Cécile-Louise-with-the-even-longer-last-name who didn't make it to the final thing because she couldn't stand still. We get to know them all. Snippets of their lives, their backstories, their interactions with each other, their Sundays eating and drinking and rowing and posing. How much work goes into a painting like this! It's unbelievable. Inspired by some of his favourite painters, like Vermeer and Veronese, Renoir blends classic techniques with Impressionism in an attempt to achieve a breakthrough in his career and defy critics, elevating Impressionism as an art style worthy of the Louvre. The result, as we all know, is the spectacular masterpiece that is Luncheon of the Boating Party. I can honestly say that I would not hold it in such high appreciation if I hadn't read this book. To me, at first, glance, "this painting is pretty", but knowing the story behind it and how it all came about makes it so much more interesting. I absolutely loved the character of Renoir himself. He was so winsome! You can't help but want him to desperately succeed with his painting, and admire his passion for his art and for life. Here was a man who breathed beautiful things, "seeing the world with rose-coloured glasses" as his friends would say, desperate to capture beauty, love, and happiness. "'The world is ravishing, Alphonsine. Just look. The distinct colours of the water quivering like moirée silk, the lattice of shadows made by branches shifting, [...] Life! Ravishing life!'" And the way he made love to women on his canvas with his brush! Oh, enchanting! Renoir painted under two main rules he'd imposed on himself: always paint from the live model, and only paint for pleasure. And what, to a passionate man enamoured with the female form, could give him greater pleasure than to pain the women he loved? The driven way in which he combined his passions was actually incredibly inspiring to read, and I congratulate the author on perfectly conveying that to the reader. I also absolutely adored the fascination and the importance accorded to light. Light, indeed, is so crucial in so many forms of art. I am no painter, but I've always loved a sunny mid-afternoon room permeated by warmth and light that hit just right on my embroidery hoop, or the teasing early morning rays that gently poke through curtains, announcing a lovely day of gorgeous natural light to work with. "Light. Ah, light. Pure radiance. It made the river lavender and pale ocher and aqua and white. It made the sailboats shimmer. It made the grassy hillock on the opposite bank glow a yellow-green. It softened the lines of the railroad bridge and made everything vibrate with life." Light is actually quite an important character in this novel, because it sets a definite deadline for the completion of the painting. Renoir gets the idea for Luncheon towards the end of the summer, when there are seemingly just enough Sundays left before the light changes from summer vibrancy to the cool golden of early September. There was such respect, such appreciation, and such an urgency about light in this novel that I really, really like. I happened to read this book in late August/early September, and never took as much notice of the increasing change in light as I did this year. Reading about it in such an endearing way gave me a whole new appreciation for it, for which I am deeply thankful, and I was someone who was already quite obsessed with the sun and weather and seasonal changes! Luncheon of the Boating Party was a wonderfully delectable novel, slow and sensuous like the making of the painting itself, and definitely well worth reading. My only complaint preventing me from pushing the rating to a full five stars was that certain bits did drag a little too much, and there were perhaps a few too many points of view included, from characters we didn't really hear from again, but aside from that it was a spectacularly beautiful read, full of light and colour and 1880s artist Parisian lifestyle. ...more
For our book club this month we were asked to pick a book by Susan Vreeland and read it. I picked Luncheon of the Boating Party because (1) it is based on a painting I love and
(2) it takes place just outside of Paris. I didn't know much about Renoir before I read this book, but now I think I could write his biography. Renoir sets out to challenge Zola's thought that the Impressionist painters were finished creatively when he decides to bring thirteen (oh, how he longs to find a fourteenth friend Renoir sets out to challenge Zola's thought that the Impressionist painters were finished creatively when he decides to bring thirteen (oh, how he longs to find a fourteenth friend to offset the negative image of a contemporary Last Supper) of his friends to the country and have them pose for what
he hopes will be his masterwork. This book tells his story, as well as the stories of his friends and the story of the France of his day and his fellow painters of his time. Every sentence in the book reflects the author's intensive research; you can't help but learn a lot from reading this book.
Aug 04, 2010 Erika Robuck rated it it was amazing “What would they become? she wondered. What has
he glimpsed in us to lay over that vast white land? Us. Nous. She said the word aloud, dropping off the s, a kind of lowing. The exhilaration she had felt yesterday surged again. She was part of something.” (113) Luncheon of the Boating Party, Susan Vreeland Susan Vreeland’s Luncheon of the Boating Party was published in 2007 and is 434 pages. I read it on Stephanie Cowell’s recommendation after finishing and loving her novel about Monet, Claude and Luncheon of the Boating Party, Susan Vreeland Susan Vreeland’s Luncheon of the Boating Party was published in 2007 and is 434 pages. I read it on Stephanie Cowell’s recommendation after
finishing and loving her novel about Monet, Claude and Camille. What has ensued for me is a new obsession with impressionist art, and another new, favorite author. At forty, Auguste Renoir still lives the life of a starving artist and bachelor struggling to make a name for himself and to translate his intense passions into sustenance. Frustration from recent art criticism and inspiration from a balcony at La Maison Fournaise become the perfect recipe for his idea–an intense, colorful,
vibrant portrayal of his friends on a Sunday, following lunch, relaxing in the warmth of each others’ company: la vie modern. Vreeland’s cast of characters are the people in the painting. In a detailed, and beautifully written narrative, she depicts Renoir’s difficulties assembling a group of models, finding money to pay them and buy materials, and dealing with his self-doubt, friendships, loves, and losses. Central to the painting is Alphonsine, the daughter of the owner of the
restaurant where the scene takes place. Her quiet encouragement of the painter and his subjects, and her repeated thrill of being a part of something, Nous, run like a gentle current in the book, even reaching out to include the reader. When I finished Luncheon, I went online and found that the original painting is part of the Phillips Collection in Washington, D. C., less than an hour from my home. I look forward to the day when I may stand in front of the painting, with Renoir’s work in
front of me and Vreeland’s words with me, and feel a part of Nous. Something. A shared moment in time that continues on. If you love art or historical fiction, I highly recommend this book.
Aug 13, 2009 Gael Owen rated it did not like it This book depicts Renoir's efforts to create one his
most famous Impressionist paintings. It was our book club selection so I stuck with it to the end though I found almost any excuse I could to repeatedly put the book down and do other things . . . house cleaning, laundry, weeding, washing my hair . . .
One of my favourite books to come out of 2007. A
fictional treatment of how Renoir painted his work, the Luncheon of the Boating Party, and the various people in it. Wonderful story. Happily recommended. For the longer review, please go here: For the longer review, please go here:
Mar 18, 2016 Natasa rated it really liked it Each character is fully and sensitively drawn. I’ll never look at the painting the same way, again. Although it’s a work of historical fiction, this book is delightfully readable and thoroughly researched.
This was a fascinating read, recreating Paris in the Impressionist era, the world Renoir, Monet, Degas, Cezanne, Sisley, all inhabited. It shows the
conflicts and different approaches threatening to split apart a movement which had begun, as Renoir reminisces, when he and Monet set up their easels by the river one day in 1869 and experimented with creating the effect of light on water. He recalls the excitement of those early years, when they were drunk on possibility, intoxicated by the thousa It shows the conflicts and different approaches threatening to split apart a movement which had begun, as Renoir reminisces, when he and Monet set up their easels by the river one day in 1869 and experimented with creating the effect of light on water. He recalls the excitement of those early years, when they were drunk on possibility, intoxicated by the thousand delights yet to be tasted. But some years on the movement splinters,
threatening the unity which Renoir’s friend Gustave Caillebotte is desperate to preserve to maintain their credibility. The eponymous painting comes to life during the course of the book. At one point a character reflects that it’s a rare thing to see a painting so complex emerge step by step. And that’s exactly what happens, from the initial concept, to gathering the participants, to replacing models and solving the various problems which arise, the biggest of which is potentially
having thirteen in a dining scene because this creates an unlucky parallel to the Last Supper. It was fascinating to read the delineation of strokes, colours, features, light as the painting developed. I found it helpful to look at the painting during some of these passages, to watch the composition taking shape. One of his models describes watching Renoir paint: His hand flew from the canvas to the little tin of linseed oil, to his palette, then to the canvas, back to the oil, canvas,
palette. There was something wild about it, like a swallow darting to catch insects. And: He was like a violinist constantly changing the angle of his bow. Which brings me to the painter himself. If the core of Impressionism was to catch a moment in time, this is certainly what Luncheon of the Boating Party does. Renoir describes the concept behind the painting as happiness in his time. And in a confrontation with Degas, we get more insight into what motivates him when he
declares: In my mind there are too many unpleasant things in life as it is without creating still more of them...I’m in the shining business, not the darkening business. Later he says Religion’s everywhere...In the mind...The heart...And in the love you put into what you do. Elsewhere he reveals his own history, what led him to be a painter. He calls the world ‘ravishing’ and sees beauty everywhere, but laments what he misses out on with people. This is poignant in light of
the relationships which are described during the course of the story, both past, present and potential. Renoir’s need to adore what he painted translated into a string of lovers. The author gives both viewpoints in this regard: Renoir’s own and, diametrically opposed to it, those of one of his female patrons, and the mother of his replacement model. Yet those of his past loves whom we meet in the course of the story all seem to hold Renoir in great affection. Perhaps the most poignant
and complex relationship of all, though, was the one which gave Renoir something else altogether. A truly absorbing read, this one. It’s the first I’ve read by this author, and it won’t be the last.
Love, love, loved it! Full confession: I love the Impressionists and Renoir in particular. Even when some consider him saccharine and sentimental, in my si[erficial view, he is wonderful.
Jun 24, 2008 Odette rated it really liked it I don't usually like reading novels portraying real people. It's hard
for me to invest in the author's version of them - I keep wanting to exchange fictionalized versions for actual biographies/memoirs so I can come to my own understanding of who they were. That said, I really enjoyed this novel once I got over the initial hump. It was so saturated with the sense of sunlight and joyful atmosphere of impressionist artwork. I felt myself tasting the meals along with the characters, feeling a breeze That said, I really enjoyed this novel once I got over the initial hump. It was so saturated with the sense of sunlight and joyful atmosphere of impressionist artwork. I felt myself tasting the meals along with the characters, feeling a breeze coming off
the river while they posed, admiring the colors and textures of the clothes they brought to the cafe where they ate and drank and laughed and flirted and posed. I really enjoyed learning about the lives of the individual models - you rarely hear the stories of artists' models, especially the lower class ones who existed in a semi-legal twilight world and left few records of their lives. I would happily read a biography of each of them - they're all real people to me and I care about what
happened to them now. I was rooting for their happiness by the end - especially that of Alphonsine. I'm happy so many books are mentioned in the references so I can keep spending time in this world. I wish I could step through a Renoir painting and join the characters for an afternoon this spring. It's a perfect season to read this book.
This is an exceptional historical
fiction, unlike anything I’ve read before. Susan Vreeland has artfully written the story of the creation of Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party painting, his rendition of “La Vie Moderne” The Modern Life. It is said to be Renoir’s greatest accomplishment as an Impressionist in the 19th century. Ms Vreeland describes the selection of the location for the painting, Renoir’s search for his models, how he wanted them to pose, sources for oils and canvas, and the
This is an exceptional historical fiction, unlike anything I’ve read before. Susan Vreeland has artfully written the story of the creation of Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party painting, his rendition of “La Vie Moderne” The Modern Life. It is said to be Renoir’s greatest accomplishment as an Impressionist in the 19th century. Ms Vreeland describes the selection of the location for the painting, Renoir’s search for his models, how he wanted them to
pose, sources for oils and canvas, and the details of the creation, all in a riveting narrative. She includes scenes of Paris in 1880, sailing regattas on the Seine, as well as descriptions of delectable French cuisine. My attempt to give you an idea of the power of this novel has done little justice to the creativity of Susan Vreeland and the glimpse she provides of the life of Renoir. You would have to read it to believe it.
Jul 23, 2021 Desiree rated it it was amazing And thus began my true appreciation of the Impressionist movement. Wonderful book about Renoir.
Not for me. No rating. Too much description and too many words where a picture would do.
Audio book performed by Karen White
In the summer of 1880 Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted what was to become one of his most instantly recognizable masterpieces, depicting a gathering of friends enjoying an afternoon on a café terrace along the Seine near Paris. His fourteen models included, among others, a famous painter, an art collector, a celebrated actress, the café owner’s daughter, a war hero, an Italian journalist, and a laundress. This was shortly after the Franco-Prussian war, and so In the summer of 1880 Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted what was to become one of his most instantly recognizable masterpieces, depicting a gathering of friends enjoying an afternoon on a café terrace along the Seine near Paris. His fourteen models included, among others, a famous painter, an art collector, a celebrated actress, the café owner’s daughter, a war hero, an Italian journalist, and a laundress. This
was shortly after the Franco-Prussian war, and social constraints were loosening as Parisians embraced la vie moderne – pursuing pleasure and striving for a joyful life. It was also a time when the Impressionist group was being torn apart by diverging viewpoints and changing styles. Vreeland has written several novels about the world of art -
The Forest Lover (about Emily Carr), Girl in Hyacinth Blue (about a Vermeer painting) and
Clara and Mr. Tiffany (about Tiffany’s decorative arts studio). She bases her works of fiction on solid research into the life and times of the artist/artwork, and uses her imagination to embellish the details of conversation, thoughts and feelings to make the scenes come alive. The word portraits she “paints” are as vivid as the
works on art which inspire her. Using seven different characters to narrate I wonder if this is because I listened to the audio rather than read the text. Karen White does a credible job on the audio
– her pacing is good, her pronunciation of French apparently accurate (I don’t speak French, so how would I know, really). Still, the art of which Vreeland writes is a visual medium and I can’t help but wonder if I would have been more engaged if I had been using my eyes rather than listening. Vreeland begins with a quote: To my mind, a picture should be something pleasant, cheerful, and pretty, yes pretty! There are too many unpleasant things in life as it is without creating still
more of them. - Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Jul 29, 2007 Bonnie rated it really liked it It took me awhile to read this book, mainly because I was really
wanting to read a more adventuresome than contemplative book, but that turned out for the best, because this was a book intended to be savored rather than quickly inhaled. Once I got into it, about 50 pages in, I really liked it.
Feb 03, 2012 Lisa rated it liked it Susan Vreeland is an American author of historical fiction who specialises in vivid novelisations of art and artists, and like Girl in Hyacinth Blue, Luncheon of the Boating Party is based around a particular painting. Ever since I read The Horse’s Mouth by Joyce Cary I’ve looked out for books that explore the mind of the artist, and I had also enjoyed Vreeland’s Passion of Artemesia - about the
first woman admitted to the Accademia dell’ Arte in Florence – and The Forest Lover - about the groun Susan Vreeland is an American author of historical fiction who specialises in vivid novelisations of art and artists, and like Girl in Hyacinth Blue, Luncheon of the Boating Party is based around a particular painting. Ever since I read The Horse’s Mouth by Joyce Cary I’ve looked out for books that explore the mind of the artist, and I had also
enjoyed Vreeland’s Passion of Artemesia - about the first woman admitted to the Accademia dell’ Arte in Florence – and The Forest Lover - about the ground-breaking Canadian artist Emily Carr. So when I saw this one at the library, I snapped it up. Luncheon of the Boating Party, by Pierre- Auguste Renoir was one of his major paintings, completed in 1880-1881. He painted it from life, depicting a group of his friends on the balcony at the Maison Fournaise on the River Seine in Chatou, a suburb
of Paris. He wanted to show Paris enjoying the good life, in recovery from the horrors of the Franco-Prussian war, and he wanted to capture the conviviality of everyday people relaxing in an everyday situation (rather than the conservative themes of the pre-Impressionist era). To read the rest of my review please visit
http://anzlitlovers.com/2012/02/12/lu...
I loved this fictionalized account of the painting of the Boating Party. While I've seen reproductions of this painting many times and once had the privilege of seeing the actual canvas, I never gave any thought to who the people pictured in it. It was enjoyable to find out who they were and to learn a bit about them. Also fascinating to get inside Renoir's head a bit. Vreeland clearly did a lot of research for this and made the characters and situations as true to life as possible, while still I loved this fictionalized account of the painting of the Boating Party. While I've seen reproductions of this painting many times and once had the privilege of seeing the actual canvas, I never gave any thought to who the people pictured in it. It was enjoyable to find out who they were and to learn a bit about them. Also fascinating to get inside Renoir's head a bit. Vreeland clearly did a lot of research for this and made the characters and situations as true to life as possible, while still writing fiction. ...more
May 04, 2013 Val Wilkerson rated it it was amazing I loved this book, it was absolutely
delicious!! Its about Pierre Augusto Renoir, and his painting
Mar 08, 2018 Faye rated it it was amazing Historical fiction. Very good read! The story is based on the Impressionist artist, Renoir. The book gets into life in Paris in the late 1800's, especially for the artists. The main story however, takes place during the months it took for Renoir to paint his largest
canvas painting, which was the Luncheon of the Boating Party. As he selected his models, their lives, and the painting brought these 13 persons together every sunday until the completion of his work. The painting is said to be his ve Historical fiction. Very good read! The story is based on the Impressionist artist, Renoir. The book gets into life in Paris in the late 1800's, especially for the artists. The main story however, takes place during the
months it took for Renoir to paint his largest canvas painting, which was the Luncheon of the Boating Party. As he selected his models, their lives, and the painting brought these 13 persons together every sunday until the completion of his work. The painting is said to be his very best work. I enjoyed this very much, and I can highly recommend . This author also wrote The Girl with the
Pearl
I read this book during my lunch break at work and I really enjoyed it. It is a work of fiction but once I started to read it, I felt as I was in Paris and part of Auguste Renior's group of friends who were lucky enough to be around him as painted his masterpiece; Luncheon of the Boating Party. Susan Vreeland wrote so
beautifully and is so descriptive not only of the people she is writing about, but also the scenery and everything going on in Paris at this time I honestly felt as if I was in Paris It is a work of fiction but once I started to read it, I felt as I was in Paris and part of Auguste Renior's group of friends who were lucky enough to be around him as painted his masterpiece;
Luncheon of the Boating Party. Susan Vreeland wrote so beautifully and is so descriptive not only of the people she is writing about, but also the scenery and everything going on in Paris at this time I honestly felt as if I was in Paris.
Feb 08, 2015 Susan rated it liked it I listened to this book on CD. Karen White parle un francais parfait. And, author,
Susan Vreeland, made this novel come to life. 'Luncheon of the Boating Party' takes place on a café terrace along the Seine just outside of Paris. Pierre-Auguste Renoir ( 1841-1919)decides to do a painting using his friends. How many friends he uses is a very interesting number. This is a monumental effort and will take several Sunday afternoons to complete. To understand the simmering passion, take note that the To understand the simmering passion, take note that the time period was Paris
I would love to see this work. I need to take a trip to Washington, DC and visit the Phillips Collection. Also a trip to NY,NY, and Paris, Musee d'Orsay sounds good. Thank you for this wonderful book Susan Vreeland. Viva l'art.
I really tried to like this book but was very disappointed. I loved The Girl in Hyacinth Blue and Artemisia as both books created mood, atmosphere and I felt like the artists were believable and understood. Vreeland seemed to understand each artist and how they painted in the earlier books but Renoir comes off as a bit of a sap. When it came to describing his painting approach it seemed trite and almost
pendactic in tone. As an artist, this grated me immensely. I honestly feel like she sold out I really tried to like this book but was very disappointed. I loved The Girl in Hyacinth Blue and Artemisia as both books created mood, atmosphere and I felt like the artists were believable and understood. Vreeland seemed to understand each artist and how they painted in the earlier books but Renoir comes off as a bit of a sap. When it came to describing
his painting approach it seemed trite and almost pendactic in tone. As an artist, this grated me immensely. I honestly feel like she sold out to make the story too accessible. Every French phrase was translated leading one to believe that an editor pandered to the lowest common denominator and that the people who read books on French art know nothing. Some of tuhe dialogues were pathetic and juvenile. This was a sad exercise in so-called literature. There were two redeeming qualities: kudos to
Penguin for wrapping the entire painting on the cover so i had an easy reference and second, one forgets that in the 19th century, having 14 people pose over numerous several sessions reveals how great artists were in those days. It is a great painting and a very mediocre book. Please pass.
I really, really wanted to like this book. I love the painting and have had many questions over the years about it. I am a fast reader but this book took me f-o-r-e-v-e-r to finish; definitely slow and not a page-turner. I loved the characters but would have like to have had a graphic to refer to with the names (maybe the figures numbered on a drawing?) so I could refer back to them as I read. There were so many of them that I got confused in the beginning of the book, until I got to know them s I really, really wanted to like this book. I love the painting and have had many questions over the years about it. I am a fast reader but this book took me f-o-r-e-v-e-r to finish; definitely slow and not a page-turner. I loved the characters but would have like to have had a graphic to refer to with the names (maybe the figures numbered on a drawing?) so I could refer back to them as I read. There were so many of them that I got confused in the beginning of the book, until I got to know them somewhat better. Also, you'd better know some French to get through this tome as, if you are like me and want exact definitions for words, you won't find them here and will have to read on assuming you've got the gist. Perhaps a list of the french phrases used for reference would have helped as well. I will say that Ms. Vreeland did her research on this one and it is historically accurate. It's just way too long. When I got to the last 15 pages or so, I actually considered just giving up. ...more
Apr 10, 2009 Kate rated it liked it The lusty, leisurely, lovingly-told story of how Renoir came to paint the famous picture of 14 revelers at lunch by the Seine. The novel is fun for what it teaches you (or reminds you) about the Impressionist movement. And it's fun because of how deeply the author plunges you into Renoir's world. But at times the writing seems like a dramatized "History Comes Alive!" section in a high school textbook.
If you go for this book, make sure to get one of the editions where a picture of the whole pain If you go for this book, make sure to get one of the editions where a picture of the whole painting is on the cover. Or keep another image of the painting handy, because you'll want to refer to it. Susan Vreeland was an internationally renowned best-selling author and four-time winner of the Theodor Geisel Award for Fiction, the San Diego Book Award’s highest honor. She wrote historical fiction on art-related themes, and her books have been translated into 26 languages. Related ArticlesSome of the best stories take a few hundred years to tell. But if you're in the mood for uncanny connections, hoping back and forth through... “I've come to think that if doing something simple or silly can give a person pleasure, then, by God, do it” — 4 likes “He had a thought that amused him. "Figures, still life, landscape, AND an animal! Zola, eat your hat!" he bellowed.” — 3 likes More quotes…Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. What is the message of Luncheon of the Boating Party?Chatou was one of Renoir's beloved settings and Luncheon of the Boating Party is a romanticized portrait of his friends enjoying a Sunday afternoon on the balcony of the restaurant. His intention was to take a normal scene and create a modern day party that portrayed the youth and beauty of his friends.
Why is Luncheon of the Boating Party Famous?Luncheon of the Boating Party is an artwork by impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It is particularly admired because it combines his signature impressionist style with portraiture, still life and an en plein air setting.
How much is the Luncheon of the Boating Party worth?Pierre Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party" 12 million to 15 million dollars, and maybe even more "A top piece of work." So, if these estimates of the value of the nine paintings are even close, and the other 66 paintings average $250,000 each, this exhibit should be valued at 50 million to 60 million dollars.
How long did it take Renoir to paint Luncheon of the Boating Party?Measuring an impressive 51 by 68 inches, The Luncheon of the Boating Party is among the largest canvases Renoir ever made—and one of the most complex. It took sixteen arduous months to complete this image of casual leisure.
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Luncheon of the boating party book
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