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The Pleasures of Picnicking

Dictionnaire Étymologique De La Langue F... (by Ménage, Gilles, 1613-1692)
Édouard Manet (by Tschudi, Hugo Von, 1851-1911)
Art History: Impressionism : Monet's Pop... Volume Art History series (by Beth Harris, Steven Zucker)
Auguste Renoir (by Meier-Graefe, Julius)
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood; Of G... (by Pyle, Howard)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (by Carroll, Lewis)
The Wind in the Willows (by Kenneth Grahame)

During seasonal weather, people yearn to enjoy the great outdoors. Sunny, mild days offer ideal opportunities for hosting picnics in the park. Charming wicker baskets, country-style checkered tablecloths, leisurely pleasures, and delectable food come to mind.

The word picnic emerged from the French word “piquenique,” which describes an outing with food. Those who attended early picnics in France and England always brought along some food to share. Unlike today’s picnic, these earlier feasts were held indoors.

One of the earliest uses of the word picnic in print appears in the 1692 edition of Tony Willis, Origines de la Langue Française when Willis used the term to describe a gathering of people who were dining in a restaurant, but brought along their own wine.

After the French Revolution, French officials opened the royal parks up to the public. This historical event is what sparked the rise of outdoor picnics as we know them today.

Today’s picnic menus may include simple or gourmet sandwiches, pasta and potato salads, cold meats, olives, and cheeses, and fresh fruit. Refreshing beverages range from chilled wine or champagne to water, juice, or soft drinks.

Years ago, when dining al fresco became a more popular form of recreation, picnics became the subject of many paintings such as Édouard Manet’s Le Déjeuner sur l'Herbe (Luncheon On The Grass), as well as Claude Monet’s painting of the same name, and Auguste Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party.

The art of picnicking was included in Howard Pyle’s The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood; Of Great Renown in Nottinghamshire. While in the forest, Robin and his Merry Men would feast on bread, cheese, and beer. The elaborate, fantasy-filled “mad tea party” in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame also incorporate picnic scenes.

By Regina Molaro