The Banks of the Seine at Asnieres was a location which brought Parisians together during the weekend. It was also a place which attracted en plein air painters such as Seurat (Bathers at Asnières) and Renoir. Seurat in particular produced many now famous open-air studies along the banks of the Seine at Courbevoie and Asnières during the early eighteen-eighties. Asnières-sur-Seine was a commune north west of the Paris capital which has become famed for its inspiration upon the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. Vincent Van Gogh’s brother had an apartment here and made a series of paintings in 1887 while co-habiting with his brother: These included The Seine with the Pont de la Grande Jatte.

The original version of this oil painting was called The Skiff – La Yole. It was created by Pierre-Auguste Renoir around 1975 with oil on canvas. The exact location of this oil painting has not been pinned down: However, it is believed it was created along the river Seine around Asnieres or Chatou which is a little further west. The contrast of the bright yellow- orange Skiff in the foreground against the deep blue-purple hues of the river, reveal Renoirs love of complementary color. Using complimentary colors in this was creates intense contrasts when they are juxtaposed and this ‘tactic’ was completely new at the time: Bold and bright as was the style of what would become known as Impressionism. Consequently, this is a stunning and picturesque work of art that would grace any environment.