| Renoir's friends posed for this painting when he was 39/40. Two can be recognized -- the boatsman leaning against the railing: Alphonse Fournaise, owned the establishment, and Aline Charigot, playing with the small dog. Aline was a dress maker and due to become Renoir's wife. Fournaise's establishment was supposed to be a rowdy place frequented by oarsmen of all social classes, but Renoir "apparently decided to play down the cruder side of reality." |