
James Andrew at the Frick
I’ve just attended the opening of the gorgeous new exhibition at the Frick entitled Renoir, Impressionism, and Full-Length Painting. Here, the Frick Collection has gathered together nine of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s most important full length paintings, for a show that was initially inspired by Renoir’s “La Promenade,” in the Frick’s permanent collection.
Quite unique within the circle of impressionists (despite being one of the primary founding members), Renoir paints on a large public scale for these works, which, happily for us, has also allowed the artist to indulge his passion for detail.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Les Parapluies
Renoir’s father was a tailor and his mother was a dress maker, making him well aware of current fashions, and his paintings provide a real lesson in costume history. One of my favorite paintings, and perhaps one of Renoir’s most ambitious works, “The Umbrellas” (Les Parapluies) has an interesting story behind it. Begun in 1881, Renoir was unhappy with the painting, and subsequently put it aside until four years later, when he felt compelled to complete the painting. Aside from an examination of the fairly pronounced stylistic shift between parts of the canvas, scholars are, in fact, able to date the figures on the right side of the canvas, to 1881, and the young lady depicted at the left side, to 1885, based solely on their clothing. All of this, and much much more, is revealed in the fascinating Illustrated catalog accompanying the show (offered for purchase at the museum shop).
As you might have guessed, this is another WIJW must see for anyone interested in fashion, history, and fine art!
Here, at the Frick’s East Gallery, I’m enjoying a private preview of this sublime and never seen together before collection of Renoirs and I’m sporting a Tom Ford era Gucci paper thin bottle green leather bomber jacket, windowpane plaid wool pant in gray, teal and blue and navy leather cap toe slip on, Tom Ford teal check cotton shirt with French cuffs and charcoal wool tie, aquamarine and diamond cuff links , black alligator belt with sterling buckle and my fragrance is Creed Bois du Portugal.