Madame Édouard Bernier (Marie-Octavie-Stéphanie Laurens, 1838–1920)  1871

Marie-Octavie Bernier was the wife of the commander of Renoir's regiment during the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71). In the spring of 1871, Renoir stayed with the couple, who were living with her father in the town of Tarbes in southwestern France. Enjoying their hospitality and a level of comfort that is reflected in this portrait, Renoir fondly recalled that he spent "two ...