The lives of Renoir's subjects in the iconic 'Pink and Blue' painting took a tragic turn, as revealed in Catherine Ostler's captivating book, 'The Renoir Girls: A Hidden History of Art, War & Betrayal'. This article delves into the story behind the painting and the fates of the young girls, Elisabeth and Alice, who were immortalized by Renoir in 1881. Ostler's research uncovers a web of intrigue, family drama, and historical context that shapes the girls' lives and ultimately leads to their tragic ends.
The painting itself, a beloved symbol of the Belle Époque, captures the innocence of the two little girls, their hair adorned with silk ribbons, holding hands with gentle trust. However, the reality of their lives diverged sharply from this idyllic scene. Ostler's narrative begins by introducing the Cahen d'Anvers family, wealthy and well-connected, who lived on the fashionable Avenue Montaigne in Paris. The girls' mother, Louise, was a society beauty and a key figure in the artistic and literary circles of the time.
The story takes a twist when Louise's affair with art patron Charles Ephrussi comes into play. Ephrussi, believed to be the inspiration for Charles Swann in Marcel Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time', persuaded Louise to have her children's portraits done by the rising Impressionist painter, Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The painting 'Little Irène' showcased Renoir's talent, but the second portrait of Elisabeth and Alice did not sit well with Louis Cahen d'Anvers, who was slow to pay Renoir.
Ostler's investigation reveals a complex web of gossip, suspicion, and family dynamics. The mystery deepens as Louis Cahen d'Anvers's reaction to the painting remains unclear, whether it was due to personal dissatisfaction or a suspicion about the girls' parentage. The book explores the lives of the girls in the context of the Belle Époque, a period of rapid scientific and technological progress, and the flourishing of the arts.
The historical backdrop is crucial to understanding the girls' fates. The Third Republic's struggle for legitimacy, xenophobia, and antisemitism in France during the late 19th century set the stage for the Cahen d'Anvers family's experiences. The Dreyfus affair, a pivotal event, caused a rift in French society, with Jews like the Cahen d'Anvers family facing suspicion and resentment.
Ostler highlights the personal choices made by Elisabeth and Alice, influenced by their family's circumstances. Elisabeth's conversion to Catholicism and her marriage to Comte Jean de Forceville, a Catholic aristocrat, reflect her desire to fit into the predominantly Catholic society of the time. Alice, on the other hand, married Charles Townshend, a British Army officer, and lived mostly in England.
The tragic events of World War II brought the girls' stories to a devastating conclusion. Elisabeth, divorced and suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, was arrested by the Gestapo and sent to Drancy, a Jewish collection point outside Paris. She was transported to her death in Auschwitz in 1944. Alice, despite her marriage to Townshend, faced challenges during the war, with her daughter Audrey working for the Resistance. Alice and her family narrowly escaped the Nazis, finding refuge in Bordeaux and then boarding a freighter for Britain.
The painting 'Pink and Blue' itself had a remarkable journey. After being sold by the Cahen d'Anvers family, it traveled to the Americas, where it was eventually acquired by a Brazilian plutocrat. Today, it hangs in the São Paulo Museum of Art, serving as a poignant reminder of the fragility of the Belle Époque era and the tragic fates of the young subjects immortalized by Renoir.
