Lise Tréhot: Renoir's Mysterious Muse and Model

Lise Tréhot (1848–1922) was the exclusive model for Pierre-Auguste Renoir from 1866 to 1872, posing for nearly all his female figures during that period. Introduced to Renoir in 1865 by her sister Clémence, who was the lover of artist Jules Le Coeur, Tréhot was about 18 when she met the 25-year-old painter. She appears in numerous works, including 'Lise in a Straw Hat' (c. 1866, Barnes Foundation), 'Lise Sewing' (c. 1867–1868, Dallas Museum of Art), 'In Summer' (1868, Alte Nationalgalerie)—Renoir's first Salon success—and 'Lise with a Parasol' (1867, Museum Folkwang). Later paintings like 'Odalisque (An Algerian Woman)' (1870, National Gallery of Art) and 'Diana' (1867, National Gallery of Art) depict her in exotic or mythological roles. 'Woman with Parrot' (1871, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum) has been interpreted as a commentary on women's restricted roles in Parisian society. Their collaboration ended in 1883; Tréhot later married architect Georges Brière de l'Isle and had four children. Rumors persist that she and Renoir had a daughter named Jeanne, whom Renoir financially supported.