This week’s Fashion Inspired by Art post centers around a lively work from the Impressionist period: Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Le Moulin de la Galette. Keep reading to see three refreshing looks inspired by the famous painting.

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About the Artist

Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a French artist who helped shape the Impressionist period.

True to the observation that “Renoir is perhaps the only painter who never produced a sad painting,” Renoir’s works always featured happy, lively subjects. Cheerful women, flowers, sunny leisure portraits, and other traditional subjects of “prettiness” and “beauty” dominate Renoir’s many paintings. It’s no wonder so many others have taken inspiration from his works.

About the Painting

Le Moulin de la Galette, painted in 1876, remains one of the most loved art pieces of the Impressionist period. Also known as Bal du Moulin de la Galette, the title originates from the name of a popular outdoor café at the time.

The painting lacks clear-cut outlines, only distinct patches of color to distinguish separate subjects. This unstructured form follows closely to the typical Impressionist style. Mimicking a photograph, Renoir cut figures off from the frame as if the scene extends beyond the painting.

Most interestingly of all, Renoir did not use black paint in his works. He did not believe it was a color, and used only very dark blue for shadows.

Café Ensoleillé

Hat- Rent the Runway, Tank Top- Zara, Shorts- Topshop, Espadrilles- Nordstrom

I put together this look with the sunny café in mind. The loose, flowing fabrics and soft textures are as breezy and fun as the subjects in the painting. If Renoir’s café-goers lived in 2015, I would imagine them wearing something along the lines of this outfit.