The Umbrellas, an oil-on-canvas masterpiece by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, captures the bustling streets of Paris in the 1880s. The painting, owned by the National Gallery in London, portrays a rainy day scene where most figures shield themselves with umbrellas. To the right, a mother gazes at her daughters, elegantly dressed for their afternoon promenade. The central female figure, modeled by Renoir’s lover Suzanne Valadon, raises or lowers her umbrella, hinting at impending rain. Unconventionally, the composition isn’t centered, and figures spill beyond the frame like a candid photograph. Renoir’s brushwork evolved during the process: he initially embraced Impressionism but later infused classical influences, resulting in a harmonious blend of styles. The angles of the umbrellas form geometric shapes, adding depth to this captivating slice of Parisian life.