The story of Renoir's iconic painting, "Pink and Blue," is a captivating tale that delves into the lives of its subjects, two young girls, and the tragic turns their lives took. This narrative, as explored by Catherine Ostler in her book "The Renoir Girls," offers a hidden history that intertwines art, war, and betrayal.
The painting, a beloved Impressionist masterpiece, captures the innocence and charm of Elisabeth and Alice, then aged six and four, respectively. Their image, with its gentle trust and frilly attire, belies the turmoil and hardship that lay ahead.
The girls' privileged upbringing in Belle Époque Paris, amidst scientific progress and artistic flourishing, was a far cry from the brutality they would encounter. Their mother, Louise, a society beauty, hosted a salon for artists and writers, including Charles Ephrussi, who may have inspired Proust's Swann.
Ephrussi's influence extended to persuading Louise to have her daughters' portraits done by Renoir, an up-and-coming Impressionist. The resulting painting, "Little Irène," showcases the artist's skill in capturing the vibrant beauty of the girls' features against a green backdrop.
However, the second painting, "Pink and Blue," faced resistance from the girls' father, Louis Cahen d'Anvers. The reason for his disapproval remains a mystery, but it hints at the underlying tensions within the family and society at large.
As Ostler delves into the girls' later lives, the story takes on a darker tone. The political instability and xenophobia of the time, particularly the anti-Semitic sentiments fueled by the Dreyfus affair, cast a long shadow over their lives. Elisabeth's conversion to Catholicism and Alice's marriage to a British Army officer, Charles Townshend, are both influenced by this climate.
The outbreak of World War II brought further tragedy. Alice, now a grandmother, managed to escape with her grandchildren to England, but her daughter Audrey chose to stay and work for the Resistance. Meanwhile, Elisabeth, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, was betrayed by the village mayor and sent to her death at Drancy.
The painting itself, "Pink and Blue," had a fortunate escape. Included in a Louvre-curated tour of the Americas in 1939, it was stored in New York until its sale to a Brazilian collector in 1951. Today, it hangs in the São Paulo Museum of Art, a poignant reminder of the fragile beauty of the Belle Époque era.
This story, with its twists and turns, is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring power of art. It invites us to reflect on the hidden histories and untold stories that lie beneath the surface of iconic artworks.
