Soulscape 23, In Art We Find the Experience of Being Fully Human
From My Upcoming Book: Soulscape – The Role of Art in Our Lives
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, By the Water (also known as Near the Lake), circa 1880, Art Institute of Chicago. WC.
In this Renoir painting, I interpret the scene as a quiet, reflective moment between a father and his daughter on a trellised balcony with a lake behind them. The man, holding a cigarette in a thoughtful, relaxed pose, seems to be listening carefully to his daughter (her lips are slightly parted, suggesting speech), whose adoring gaze upward suggests love and admiration. The trellis and the balcony frame a calm, beautifully colored landscape and lake behind them, giving a sense of peaceful coexistence with nature. The scene captures an understated but special moment. It is through art like this, in which we can imagine ourselves participating, that we sense we are on the right track toward being fully realized.
Art is a window to our future.
Artwork: By the Water by Renoir.
Written by Michael Newberry.
Video and Voice created with Clipchamp.
Frame of Reference: Art Holds a Moment in Time Forever, Part 2 (3 min)
I thoroughly enjoy art that focuses on the “lesser” moments, the quiet and everyday things we take for granted. Loved your take on this one!