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From The Cleveland Museum of Art:
In this idealization of motherhood and rural life, Renoir depicts his future wife, Aline Charigot, with their son, Pierre. The pastel is a confection of bright colors: warm orange and yellow are contrasted with cool blues and greens, creating a chromatically exuberant image. Renoir took full advantage of the special optical properties of pastel, whose minute, irregular particles reflect light diffusely, allowing an unparalleled velvety brilliance, perfectly suited to portray the youthful bloom of the woman and child.