Woman with Rose

Oil on canvas

35.5 x 27 cm

Her eyes flashing, the young woman turns towards the viewer as though in conversation. She has tucked a rose into her loosely arranged hair. The flower – like the subject herself – will retain its freshness throughout the centuries. Marguerite Legrand, who was known as Margo, had been the painter's girlfriend and favourite model since 1875. She died at the age of 23 of typhoid fever. Renoir has captured her in relaxed brushstrokes typical of Impressionism and vibrant colours.

Auguste Renoir was born in Limoges in 1841 and died in Cagnes-sur-Mer in 1919.