Renoir commands the light in this painting. Both the
dance of the light on the water and the blindingly white sail are almost
unnaturally bright, but they flood the atmosphere to set the mood of a lazy
summer day.
Tears
Idle Tears
Alfred Lord Tennyson
Fresh as the first
beam glittering on a sail,
That brings our
friends up from the underworld,
Sad as the last which
reddens over one
That sinks with all
we love below the verge;
So sad, so fresh, the
days that are no more.
