This is the story of Renoir’s famous painting ’Luncheon of the Boating Party,’ a work completed on the balcony of the restaurant La Maison Fournaise, just outside of Paris. Combining historical fact with Ms. Vreeland’s vivid imagination we learn how the painting came into existence and how the models were chosen and gathered, as well as a sense of the time and place. The models’ identities are largely based on historical fact, but as with all works of historical fiction the author uses her vivid imagination in guessing their conversations, relationships and emotions. There is something compelling about an author bringing to life the story of a work of art. The characters become familiar and spark curiosity about who they were, the location becomes a real place one could visit, and the art itself becomes an intimate friend. Vreeland’s background in and her passion for fine art is clearly a prerequisite in producing a story like this. The descriptions of the colors, clothing and food I can only describe as “delicious” and caused me to nearly feel that I was actually there among them.

posted Jun 4, 2007 at 12:15PM

Inspired to paint "Luncheon of the Boating Party" when his other work is criticized by Emile Zola, Renoir is drawn into the lives of the 13 people featured in it as they enjoy a Parisian summer during the late 1800s.

posted Nov 14, 2007 at 12:13PM

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