La Parisienne

"La Parisienne" an oil painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, completed in 1874, stands as a prominent piece at the National Museum Cardiff. Also referred to as "The Blue Lady" this artwork made its debut at the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874 and has since become a centerpiece of the museum's collection.

The painting showcases a young woman in an exquisite blue dress, meeting the viewer's gaze while putting on gloves. Notably, Renoir chose to eliminate the original background, opting instead for a neutral space imbued with complementary hues of blue, mauve, and yellow-grey that enhance the figure's prominence.

Upon its initial unveiling, "La Parisienne" garnered mixed reviews from critics. However, over time, it has gained widespread acclaim and is now regarded as a significant work in the museum's collection. The model for the painting was French actress Henriette Henriot, who posed for several of Renoir's other works as well.

The painting has a rich history of changing ownership before ultimately being acquired by the National Museum Wales in 1952. Today, it is a favorite among visitors and is prominently displayed in gallery 16 of the National Museum Cardiff. In Wales, it is affectionately known as "The Blue Lady."