
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
French, 1841–1919
Bay of Naples, Evening
1881
Renoir's painting of Naples focuses on the bustle of daily life near the harbor. The scene is full of local flavor—characteristic Neapolitan boats, donkeys loaded with supplies, a woman carrying a burden on her head. In the distance, smoke issues from the mouth of the Mount Vesuvius, a volcano. Parallel strokes of paint structure the composition, with reds and oranges contrasting the purple and blue shadows and yellow and white buildings across the bay.
Medium | Oil on canvas |
Dimensions | 22 13/16 x 31 13/16 in. (57.9 x 80.8 cm) Frame: 33 1/2 x 42 3/8 in. (85.1 x 107.6 cm) |
Object Number | 1955.587 |
Acquisition | Acquired by Sterling and Francine Clark, 1933 |
Status | On View |
Image Caption
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Bay of Naples, Evening, 1881, Oil on canvas. The Clark Art Institute, 1955.587.
Bibliography
Provenance
The artist, sold to Durand-Ruel, Paris, 22 May 1882; [Durand-Ruel, Paris, 1882–88, sold to Durand-Ruel, New York, 11 July 1888]; [Durand-Ruel, New York, 1888–94, sold to Davis, 23 Apr. 1894]; Erwin Davis, New York (1894–99, sold to Durand-Ruel, New York, 9 Apr. 1899); [Durand-Ruel, New York, sold to Durand-Ruel, Paris, 9 Apr. 1899]; [Durand- Ruel, Paris, 1899–1933, sold to Durand-Ruel, New York, 2 Feb. 1933]; [Durand-Ruel, New York, sold to Clark, 3 Mar. 1933]; Robert Sterling Clark (1933–55); Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, 1955.