Pretty as a Picture

“To my mind, a picture should be something pleasant, cheerful and pretty, yes pretty! There are too many unpleasant things in life as it is without creating still more of them”.

As we approach the birthdate of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, February 25 1842 – December 3 1919, his words are as true today as they were in the 19th century. Without wanting to make political or social comment, we all know that life for some out there isn’t too pretty right now.

But I can relay a personal Renoir related story, which may bring a smile and sense of humanity on a chilly February day in 2017.

It is August 1997 and me, husband and 6 month old daughter are visiting family in sunny, warm Canada. There is a Renoir exhibition in Ottawa and we decide to visit. True to form, as soon as we arrive, baby needs a feed so I take her into the ladies room. There is a long line of facing cubicles with a small chair at the end. Not a very inviting space but needs must. We settle on the solitary chair and begin. Ladies come and go during this half hour process. Some smile, some shuffle past awkwardly, some pass by barely noticing us. Then a hunched, old lady totters towards us and speaks in French, gesturing with arms wide. With a little understanding of French I explain I am English and ask her to repeat slowly (we’ve all done that). I still don’t get the meaning until another lady helps out with translation.

“If Renoir were here, he would make your portrait”.

We return to our family, me somewhat teary eyed and explain what was said – we all end up in tears, hugging!

So I suppose I’m giving thanks for a few things here –

for a remarkable artist, Renoir, and his cheerful creations

to strangers who help us feel welcome by kind words

for family who support each other and share amazing experiences

and for the pleasant, cheerful and pretty things in life!