Tilla Durieux (Ottilie Godeffroy, 1880–1971)

Description

Tilla Durieux sits in a pale, softly draped dress with a rose tucked beside her dark hair. A translucent patterned shawl, warm background and richly upholstered chair surround the sitter with delicate color and texture.

Auguste Renoir gives the portrait a relaxed sense of presence through the open pose and gently illuminated face. In Tilla Durieux, golden accents across the shawl and the broad folds of the dress enliven the composition without distracting from the sitter’s composed expression.