“The Luncheon of the Boating Party” by Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841 – 1919) radiates the intimacy, color and command of form that elevated him to the Impressionist movement’s forefront. It depicts a group of his friends, including his future wife, on the balcony of his favorite restaurant, the Maison Fournaise. A gathering place for many social classes, Renoir captured its friendly atmosphere with technically proficient brushstrokes, subtle shading and light, and expressive facial details.