Femme élégante a l'entrée du Bois de Boulogne, 1880

Norbert Goeneutte began his career as a lawyer's clerk. In 1871 he joined the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and began his training as a painter. Shortly after he moved to Montmartre where he met Auguste Renoir, for whom he often modelled. Goeneutte was influenced by Manet, Degas and Renoir, particularly in the informality of his compositions and choice of subjects. However, he never exhibited with the Impressionists, preferring instead to exhibit at the official Salons, where he submitted entries every year from 1875.