Overview
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, born in 1841 in Limoges, France, was a leading Impressionist painter known for his scenes of modern life and female portraits . His career , which spanned several decades, went through different artistic phases, each marked by distinct styles and techniques.
Beginnings and Impressionist period
Renoir began his career working as a porcelain decorator, which honed his sense of color and delicacy. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he met artists such as Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, and Frédéric Bazille . Together, they formed the group that would later become the Impressionists.
During this period, from 1870 to 1883, Renoir focused on capturing the effects of light and color on everyday subjects. His works, such as The Ball at the Moulin de la Galette and Luncheon of the Boating Party, are joyful and luminous celebrations of Parisian life. He used visible brushstrokes and a vivid palette to convey the movement and atmosphere of a fleeting moment.
Ingresque or “sour” period
In the early 1880s, Renoir experienced a stylistic crisis. He traveled to Algeria and Italy, where he was deeply influenced by Renaissance painting, particularly the works of Raphael and Ingres. He felt the need to return to more structured forms and sharper contours, moving away from the fluidity of Impressionism.
loose brushstrokes for more precise lines and more classical compositions, seeking a solidity he felt was lost in his Impressionist works.
Late period
Around 1890, Renoir developed a new style that combined the lessons of his earlier periods . He returned to a richer palette and looser brushstrokes, while retaining the structure and solidity of his compositions. His late works, such as the portraits of his sons and the many nude canvases, are characterized by a carnal quality and a sense of fullness .
Despite severe arthritis that immobilized him, Renoir continued to paint with incredible perseverance until his death in 1919. He explored new techniques, even strapping his brushes to his hands so he could work. His legacy is that of an artist who constantly sought to capture the beauty, joy, and sensuality of the world around him.
History
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, born in 1841 in Limoges, is one of the greatest painters of the Impressionist movement. His life is an artistic journey marked by constant stylistic evolution, from his modest beginnings to worldwide recognition. 🎨
The genesis of an artist
Born into a modest family, Renoir moved to Paris , where he began his career as an apprentice porcelain painter at the age of 13. This work instilled in him a precocious mastery of color and great delicacy in execution. In 1862, he entered the École des Beaux-Arts, where he made life-changing encounters with Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, and Frédéric Bazille . Together, they formed the nucleus of what would become Impressionism, a movement seeking to capture the effects of light and scenes of modern life.
The Impressionist period and success
During the 1870s, Renoir distinguished himself with his bold use of color and visible brushstrokes. He painted joyful, luminous scenes of Parisian life. His famous works from this period , such as The Ball at the Moulin de la Galette and The Luncheon of the Boating Party, capture the vitality and carefree spirit of his time. His paintings, which often feature friends and family, radiate joy and conviviality .
The crisis and the “sour” turn
In the early 1880s, Renoir experienced an artistic crisis. He traveled to Italy and Algeria , where he was deeply influenced by Renaissance masters , notably Raphael and Ingres. He began to doubt the spontaneity of Impressionism and felt the need to return to more rigorous forms and precise contours. This period, sometimes described as “sour,” is characterized by works such as The Large Bathers, in which he favored drawing over color. He sought a solidity that he lacked in his earlier canvases , abandoning fluidity for greater structure.
The return to sensuality and consecration
Around 1890, Renoir found a synthesis between his past styles. He reconnected with the richness of his colors and the softness of his touch, but retained the structure acquired during his “Ingresque” period. His late works, including many nudes and portraits of his close friends, are celebrated for their carnal quality and joie de vivre. Despite severe polyarthritis that would leave him almost disabled by the end of his life, he continued to paint until his death in 1919. He even used brushes attached to his hands to continue creating . His legacy is immense, and his work, imbued with an eternal celebration of beauty and harmony, continues to inspire.
Timeline
Beginnings and training (1841-1870)
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was born on February 25, 1841, in Limoges . His family moved to Paris in 1844. At the age of 13, he became an apprentice porcelain painter, which gave him his first artistic skills. In 1862, he entered the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he met Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, and Frédéric Bazille , with whom he formed the group that would become Impressionism.
period (1870-1883)
From 1870, Renoir devoted himself to Impressionism, painting scenes of modern life and landscapes with a visible brushstroke and a vibrant color palette. He participated in the first Impressionist exhibitions from 1874. It was during this period that he produced some of his most famous works , such as The Ball at the Moulin de la Galette (1876) and The Luncheon of the Boating Party (1881). In 1879, he achieved critical and financial success at the official Salon with the portrait of Madame Charpentier and her children.
period (around 1883-1890)
Around 1883, after a trip to Italy, Renoir experienced an artistic crisis. He moved away from the Impressionist style, which he considered insufficient, and sought to rediscover the solidity and precision of the Renaissance masters , particularly Ingres. His style became more rigid and linear, earning him the nickname “sour” period. It was at this time that he painted The Large Bathers (1884-1887), a work that marked this change.
Late period (1890-1919)
From 1890 onwards, Renoir found a synthesis of his two previous styles . He returned to a more supple and carnal touch, while retaining the acquired structure. His late works are marked by an abundance of female nudes and scenes from his family life. Despite severe polyarthritis that left him increasingly disabled, he continued to paint until his death. In 1903, he moved to Cagnes-sur-Mer where the climate was more clement for his pain. He also turned to sculpture from 1913 onwards, with the help of an assistant. He died on December 3, 1919 .
Characteristics of the paintings
Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s work is distinguished by a stylistic evolution in several phases, but certain fundamental characteristics persist throughout his career . These can be classified by period to better understand his artistic approach.
period (1870-1883)
During this period, Renoir was a leader of the Impressionist movement. His paintings are characterized by:
Light and Color: Renoir is a master of light . He does not paint shadows with black, but uses colors to create them, which gives great luminosity to his paintings. He often mixes colors directly on the canvas to capture the changing effects of light .
The visible brushstroke: His brushstrokes are short, fluid and juxtaposed. This technique creates an impression of movement and liveliness .
Blurred outlines: The shapes are not delimited by clear lines, but blend into each other to create a soft, vaporous atmosphere .
The Joy of Living: Renoir is often called the “painter of happiness.” He depicts scenes from everyday life, moments of leisure, dance, and conviviality , where joy and carefreeness are omnipresent. His subjects often include portraits of women, children, and group scenes .
period (around 1883-1890)
After a trip to Italy, Renoir undertook a major artistic shift. This more rigorous style had the following characteristics:
A return to line and form : He moves away from impressionist spontaneity to move closer to the rigor of classicism of artists like Ingres. The contours are more precise and the forms more structured .
Cooler colors and flat tints: The palette becomes less vibrant and the colors are applied in flat tints, without the characteristic blending of the previous period .
A search for solidity: Renoir seeks to give monumentality and solidity to his characters, as can be seen in The Large Bathers.
Late or “pearly ” period ( 1890-1919)
In his later years , Renoir managed to synthesize his artistic research. His final style is characterized by:
The sensuality of forms: He returns to a more supple and creamy style, with an emphasis on the roundness and sensuality of the bodies, in particular female nudes .
A rich and warm palette: The colors become shimmering, with tones of red, pink and ochre, creating an atmosphere of fullness .
The pictorial material : The paint is applied in a more fluid and transparent manner , almost like a glaze , giving a “pearlescent ” appearance to his canvases.
The persistence of the portrait: The portrait remains a favorite genre, he paints a lot of his close friends, his family, and models .
In short, Renoir’s work is a constant celebration of beauty and harmony. Despite the evolutions of his style, he always sought to convey joy and vitality through light and color.
Style(s), genre(s), theme ( s) and techniques
Movement and era
Impressionism: Renoir is one of the main founders and representatives of this movement, active mainly in the 1870s. Impressionism sought to capture the moment, the effects of light and spontaneity .
period : A transitional period in the 1880s, when he drew inspiration from the classicism and rigor of Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, temporarily moving away from Impressionist spontaneity .
Period : From the 1890s until his death, where he combined characteristics of his earlier periods to develop a more personal style, focused on sensuality of form and a warm palette.
Genres
Portrait: A major genre in Renoir’s work. He created countless portraits of his friends, family, and high society .
Genre Scenes: He excelled in depicting scenes from everyday life , balls, luncheons and interior scenes , capturing the atmosphere and conviviality of the society of his time.
Nudes: From his late period onwards, the female nude became a central genre in his work, exploring the sensuality and fullness of the body.
Landscape: Less well known than Monet, Renoir also painted landscapes, particularly early in his career , focusing on the effects of light and the colors of nature.
Still life: He occasionally painted still lifes, often integrated into his other compositions.
Themes and Subjects
Modern Parisian Life: Early in his career , he depicted the leisure activities and entertainments of the bourgeoisie, such as balls, canoe trips, and picnics.
Woman and Child: The female figure, often depicted in a sensual and idealized manner , is a recurring theme . Children, often his own sons, are also a favorite subject.
Joy of life and happiness: Renoir’s work is imbued with an atmosphere of happiness, gentleness, and optimism. He sought to capture the beauty and harmony of the world.
Nature: Nature is often the setting for his scenes and landscapes, with an emphasis on flowers, gardens and the landscapes of Cagnes.
Techniques
Visible Brushstroke: In his Impressionist period, he used small, distinct brushstrokes to create an effect of vibration and movement.
Layering Colors: He avoided black for shadows, preferring to layer complementary colors to give depth and luminosity to his paintings.
Use of impasto : Paint is sometimes applied in thick layers (impasto ) to give relief and texture, especially on faces and hands.
Return to drawing: In his Ingres period, he insisted on line and drawing to create more precise and sculptural forms.
“Pearly” technique: At the end of his life, he developed a technique of glazing and transparency which gave his nudes a luminous and pearly appearance, like pearls.
Impacts & Influences
The impact and influence of Pierre-Auguste Renoir are considerable and extend far beyond the Impressionist movement, touching many artists and artistic movements that followed.
Impact on Impressionism
As a founding member of the group, Renoir was instrumental in establishing the principles of Impressionism. He brought a distinctive approach focused on the joy of living and the celebration of the beauty of everyday life. His works, such as The Ball at the Moulin de la Galette, demonstrated that scenes from ordinary life could become major and enduring subjects, just as worthy as historical or mythological subjects. His treatment of light , color, and fragmented brushstrokes were key elements of the movement.
Influences on later artists
Even after moving away from pure Impressionism, Renoir’s style continued to influence other artists of modern art.
Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were particularly inspired by his late period, especially his depiction of the female body. They studied his approach to sensuality, color, and the fullness of form, which had an impact on Fauvism and Cubism .
Renoir’s work with color and light also paved the way for movements such as Post-Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism. His ability to free color from the constraints of realistic representation inspired artists who explored expression through pure color.
Heritage and perception
Renoir is often called the “painter of happiness .” His persistence in painting subjects that evoked joy, sensuality, and beauty , even in the face of physical suffering caused by illness, left a powerful legacy . His work is a testament to art’s ability to transcend hardship and focus on the positive side of life. Today, Renoir’s paintings are among the most beloved and recognizable in the world, housed in prestigious museums that attest to his lasting impact on the way we perceive painting.
Relations with painters
Pierre-Auguste Renoir maintained direct and influential relationships with several painters of his time, who played a crucial role in his artistic development and in the emergence of Impressionism.
Claude Monet 🤝
Monet and Renoir had a particularly close relationship . They met at Charles Gleyre’s studio and became friends. In 1869, they painted together at La Grenouillère , a seaside resort on the Seine. It was during these outdoor sessions that their Impressionist styles truly converged, focusing on capturing the reflections of light on water and using pure colors. Renoir actually painted several portraits of Monet and his family, illustrating the depth of their friendship. Although their relationship later drifted apart due to aesthetic differences, their initial collaboration was fundamental to the movement.
Paul C é zanne 🧠
Renoir and Cézanne were also great friends. They shared a mutual admiration, despite their very different artistic approaches . Cézanne was more interested in structure and solidity of form, while Renoir celebrated sensuality and light . However, the two artists influenced each other. Renoir’s doubts about the spontaneity of Impressionism in the late 1880s, leading to his ” sour” period, are partly related to his reflection on Cézanne’s more constructed work. Renoir admired Cézanne ‘s ability to create monumental work from modest subjects.
É douard Manet 🎨
The relationship between Renoir and Manet was both friendly and competitive. Manet, a leading figure in the new painting movement, initially influenced Renoir as an elder , but the two artists had different styles, with Renoir being more inclined towards gentleness and genre scenes . Manet also encouraged Renoir to present his works at the official Salon. The friendship between their families intensified later, and Renoir even painted a magnificent portrait of Julie Manet, the daughter of Berthe Morisot and niece of Édouard Manet.
Alfred Sisley and Frédéric Bazille 🫂
Renoir met Sisley and Bazille at Charles Gleyre’s studio, as did Monet. They formed the core of the group that would create Impressionism. Renoir painted a portrait of Sisley and a work titled The Betrothed or The Sisley Household. This relationship was based on a deep camaraderie and shared ideas, which laid the foundation for their joint artistic explorations.
Camille Pissarro 🤝
Pissarro was a constant friend and supporter of Renoir and the other Impressionists. He encouraged and defended the works of his friends. Renoir participated in Impressionist exhibitions alongside Pissarro .
Paul Gauguin and other artists of the late 19th century 🖼 ️
Although their relationship was less direct than that with the founders of Impressionism, Renoir crossed paths with artists such as Gauguin and had a notable influence on the following generation , notably the Fauves such as Henri Matisse, who admired his treatment of color and form in his late period.
Relationships
Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s relationships with non-painting figures were crucial to his art and career . He associated with writers, art critics, dealers, and patrons who supported his work and formed part of his inner circle, influencing and financing his work.
Writers and critics ✍ ️
Émile Zola: Zola was one of the first and most ardent supporters of Renoir and the Impressionists. Their friendship , established in the 1860s, was fundamental . Zola wrote very positive art criticism articles about Renoir and his friends, helping to bring their work to the general public. The relationship later experienced tensions, however, as Zola moved towards a more analytical criticism of art, while Renoir continued to advocate a more sensual and direct approach to painting.
Octave Mirbeau: Writer and art critic, Mirbeau became a great friend and admirer of Renoir from the 1880s onwards. He acquired several of his works and wrote glowing reviews, particularly defending him during his “Ingresque” period when he was less popular. Mirbeau was one of the first to recognize the depth of Renoir’s late period.
Stéphane Mallarmé : The symbolist poet Mallarmé was also a close friend and supporter of Renoir. He organized dinners and meetings between artists and writers, fostering a climate of intellectual exchange. Renoir painted a portrait of Mallarmé’s family .
Art dealers 💲
Paul Durand-Ruel: A visionary art dealer, Durand-Ruel was the Impressionists’ greatest financial supporter. From 1872 onwards , he purchased numerous paintings by Renoir and his friends, providing them with the financial stability that allowed them to continue painting freely. He exhibited their work in London and New York, introducing Impressionism to the international market. His support was absolutely vital to Renoir, especially during the difficult years when Impressionist works were shunned by critics.
Ambroise Vollard: At the end of Renoir’s career , Vollard became his principal dealer. He organized exhibitions and promoted the works of the late period. Their collaboration was fruitful : Vollard not only purchased paintings but also encouraged Renoir to explore other mediums, notably sculpture, by providing him with assistants.
Patrons and models 📸
The Charpentier Family: Georges Charpentier, a publisher, and his wife Marguerite were important patrons and friends. In 1879, Renoir’s portrait of Madame Charpentier and her children was a success at the Paris Salon, bringing the artist official recognition and portrait commissions.
The Bérard Family: Renoir spent several summers at the Bérard family estate in Wargemont, where he painted numerous portraits of their children. These works illustrate a period in his career when he combined portraits , interior scenes, and landscapes .
Gabrielle Renard: His wife’s cousin, Gabrielle became his main model and muse from 1894 onwards. She appears in dozens of his late paintings, often depicted as a nurse with her children or in nude scenes. Her role was crucial not only as a model , but also as a comforting presence in the final years of his life, marked by illness.
Similar Painters
The Impressionist painters
Claude Monet: Renoir’s closest friend. They often painted the same places and subjects , but with different approaches. Monet focused on the variations of light and atmosphere on a subject, while Renoir was more interested in human figures and the texture of things.
Camille Pissarro: Friend and mentor of the Impressionists. He had a more rigorous and structured approach than Renoir, but shared with him a taste for painting outdoor scenes and rural life .
Édouard Manet: Although he was a transitional figure between Realism and Impressionism, Manet exerted a strong influence on Renoir. The two artists shared a fascination with modern life and the depiction of social scenes .
Berthe Morisot: This Impressionist painter shares with Renoir a delicacy of touch, a predilection for portraits of women and children, and a luminous palette.
Post-Impressionist painters
Paul Cézanne : Although he had a deep friendship with Renoir, their styles diverged . Cézanne was a more intellectual and constructive artist, and his work influenced Renoir in his “Ingresque” period. Their later works, however, share a search for solidity of form.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec: Although their styles are very different , Lautrec and Renoir both celebrated the scenes of Parisian life. While Lautrec focused on the nocturnal world and its marginal figures, Renoir was the painter of the middle classes and joy.
Painters inspired by Renoir
Pablo Picasso: Picasso openly admired Renoir and was particularly influenced by his late period. Renoir’s nudes, with their generous forms and sensuality, had a notable impact on Picasso’s work, particularly in his Classical period and in some Cubist works.
A leader of Fauvism, Matisse was also deeply inspired by Renoir. He was drawn to Renoir ‘s use of color to create an effect of sensuality and fullness, a principle he explored in his own works .
Amedeo Modigliani: Modigliani’s style is often compared to that of Renoir, particularly in his way of representing nude female bodies with a certain softness and fluidity of lines.
Work of painting
Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s works are among the most famous and appreciated of Impressionist and modern art. Here is a selection of his most iconic paintings, representative of his different artistic periods :
Impressionist period
The Ball at the Moulin de la Galette (1876): One of the most iconic Impressionist paintings, it captures the joyful and lively atmosphere of a popular dance in Montmartre, with plays of light and shadow filtering through the trees.
The Luncheon of the Boating Party (1881): Another of his major works, it depicts a group of friends, including his future wife, Aline Charigot, enjoying lunch on a terrace by the Seine. The painting is a masterpiece of composition, light, and individual portraiture.
The Lodge (1874): This painting depicts an elegant couple in a theatre box, capturing a moment of Parisian social life and the interplay of glances between the characters and the spectator.
Transition period
The Large Bathers (1884-1887): Marks the end of his Impressionist period and the beginning of his “sour” period. The forms are more structured, the contours sharper, and the composition moves away from spontaneity to a more classical style.
Late period
Young Girls at the Piano (1892): A painting that prefigures his later style, with rich colors, soft light , and an intimate atmosphere . He painted several versions of this scene .
Gabrielle with a Rose (circa 1911): A perfect example of his late period, showing his muse and sister-in-law, Gabrielle Renard, in a carnal and tender style. This painting and other nudes from this period are characterized by voluptuous forms and a warm, pearly palette .
The Ball at the Moulin de la Galette
The Genesis of the Masterpiece
The Ball at the Moulin de la Galette is one of the most iconic Impressionist paintings, painted by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in 1876. The artist set up a studio near the Moulin de la Galette, a popular spot in Montmartre where Parisians gathered to dance, drink, and be entertained outdoors. Fascinated by the joyful atmosphere and lively crowd, Renoir decided to capture this scene in a monumental work. He asked his friends and local residents to pose for him, in order to give the scene a sense of authenticity and life .
Analysis of the Work
The painting is a celebration of modern life, conviviality, and simple pleasures. Renoir used a visible and vibrant brushstroke to create a sense of movement and spontaneity . Light plays a central role in the composition: it filters through the leaves of the trees to create luminous patches on the faces, clothing , and ground, giving the scene an ethereal and enchanting quality .
Composition: The canvas is divided into two main areas. On the right, a group of friends sit at a table, talking and laughing, while the background is occupied by the dancing crowd. This juxtaposition creates a sense of depth and immersion in the scene .
The Characters: Renoir portrayed his friends with great tenderness. We recognize familiar faces, such as the writer Georges Rivi ère, the artist Norbert G œneutte, and Renoir’s future wife, Aline Charigot. Each character seems caught in the moment, capturing an emotion and a moment in their own story.
Light : The treatment of light is a technical feat. Renoir used light, pure colors for the sun spots, creating a striking contrast with the softer, more colorful shadows. This play of light and shadow is the key to the painting’s lively and joyful atmosphere .
Reception and Inheritance
Presented at the third Impressionist exhibition in 1877, The Ball at the Moulin de la Galette initially received mixed reviews from critics. Some considered it unfinished due to its loose brushwork and ” too ordinary” subject matter. However, the painting quickly became a symbol of Impressionist art and a work of paramount importance. Today it resides at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, where it continues to fascinate visitors. It is a testament to Renoir’s genius for transforming a simple moment of leisure into a timeless work of art.
The Luncheon of the Boating Party
The Story of a Work of Friendship
The Luncheon of the Boating Party is a major painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, painted between 1880 and 1881. The work, considered one of the peaks of Impressionism, depicts a group of the artist’s friends relaxing on the balcony of a restaurant, the Maison Fournaise, in Chatou , on the Seine. Renoir took almost a year to complete it, working directly on location and asking his friends, future patrons , and his future wife to pose for him.
Composition Analysis
The painting is a celebration of conviviality, light and social harmony. Renoir managed to reconcile a complex composition with the spontaneity of a snapshot .
The Scene and the Characters: In the center of the canvas is a group of thirteen characters, some of whom are identified:
The woman on the left playing with a small dog is Aline Charigot, Renoir’s future wife.
The group in the foreground on the right includes the painter Gustave Caillebotte, sitting upside down on a chair, and the actress Ellen André e.
We can also recognize the journalist and art critic Jules Laforgue and the son of the former owner of the restaurant.
Light and Color: The treatment of light is a strong point of the work. Patches of light filter through the marquee to illuminate the faces, clothing , and tablecloth. Renoir uses vivid colors and a wide variety of hues to depict the reflections on the glasses, wine, and objects on the table.
Depth and Movement: The diagonal composition and arrangement of the figures create a sense of depth and space. Each figure appears to be engaged in an individual action while also being part of a harmonious whole, creating a sense of movement and conversation.
The Legacy of the Work
Presented at the Seventh Impressionist Exhibition in 1882, The Luncheon of the Boating Party was acclaimed by critics and collectors, marking a turning point for Renoir. It was purchased by the American collector Duncan Phillips and is now one of the centerpieces of the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. The painting is a perfect example of Renoir’s ability to fuse traditional composition with the modernity of Impressionism, making it one of the most admired works in the history of art .
Young Girls at the Piano
The painting entitled Young Girls at the Piano was created by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in 1892. He created several versions of it, which differ slightly from each other . The painting is considered one of the masterpieces of Renoir’s late period, marking a transition between Impressionism and his more personal, classical style . 🎨
Description of the work and its context
The work depicts two young girls in a bourgeois interior, playing the piano. One is sitting and reading a score, while the other is standing and looking at it. The atmosphere is intimate and soft, emphasized by a warm color palette dominated by shades of yellow, pink, red, and white.
The characters: The models are probably daughters of friends or members of Renoir’s family. He portrays them with great tenderness and a sense of psychological truth , capturing a moment of concentration and complicity .
Light : The painting is bathed in soft light that enters through an invisible window and illuminates the faces, clothing , and hands of the young girls. Renoir uses touches of color to create highlights and shadows, giving a sense of life and movement.
Style: Unlike his earlier Impressionist works , this painting shows a return to a more structured composition and more defined forms , while retaining the sensuality of the brushstroke. It is a perfect example of Renoir’s ability to merge classical solidity with the freedom of Impressionist color.
A turning point in Renoir’s career
Young Girls at the Piano was purchased by the French government in 1892 for the Musée du Luxembourg, marking Renoir’s official recognition during his lifetime. The painting is now one of the centerpieces of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, where it continues to fascinate visitors. The work symbolizes Renoir’s return to intimate subjects and a more personal style , foreshadowing the more sensual and mature works of his later period.
Work outside poetry
Besides painting, Pierre-Auguste Renoir explored other art forms, mainly sculpture and drawings and pastels.
Sculpture
Despite his disability at the end of his life (severe rheumatoid arthritis ) , Renoir turned to sculpture. He did not work directly in clay or stone himself because of his deformed hands , but guided his assistant, the sculptor Richard Guino, to create his works. Renoir supervised and corrected each step, insisting on the sensual and carnal rendering of forms that he cherished in his late painting. His best-known sculptural works are:
V enus Victorious (Venus Victrix): A large sculpture depicting the goddess of love, inspired by her painted nudes.
The Judgement of Paris : A bas-relief in which Renoir sought to translate the movement and composition of his painting into another medium .
Drawing and Pastel
Renoir was a prolific draughtsman throughout his career . His drawings, often done in charcoal, pencil, or pastel, served as preparatory studies for his paintings, but are also works in their own right .
Drawings of nudes and portraits: He left numerous sketches of his models , particularly women and children, where his mastery of line can be seen .
Pastels: Renoir frequently used pastels for their softness and speed of execution. His pastels, such as Portrait of Mademoiselle Legrand, are characterized by a luminous touch and great delicacy in the rendering of faces and fabrics.
Episodes and anecdotes
An unexpected start to his career
Before becoming a famous painter , Renoir began his career as a porcelain painter at the age of 13. This work taught him the delicacy and mastery of color, qualities that would later shine through in his painting. He was so talented that his employers commissioned him to paint on fans, a lucrative specialization that allowed him to save money for his studies at the Beaux-Arts.
The Painter of Happiness and the Cynical Critic
When Renoir presented his painting The Ball at the Moulin de la Galette at the Third Impressionist Exhibition, it received a mixed reception. Renoir’s art critic and friend, Georges Rivière , ardently defended it, describing him as a painter of the “joie de vivre.” However, another critic noted that the canvas appeared “blurry and unfinished.” The most famous anecdote comes from a collector who declared that he did not know “if it was a painting or a collection of stains.” These reactions did not appeal to Renoir, who always believed that art should inspire happiness and beauty .
Perseverance in the face of illness
In his later years , Renoir suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis that deformed his hands and left him nearly paralyzed. Despite the pain, he continued to paint with incredible determination. A famous anecdote tells of him strapping his brushes to his hands so he could continue working . He even declared that “Pain passes, beauty remains.” This period of his life is all the more remarkable because his art became more sensual and luminous than ever, as if he refused to let physical suffering influence the joy of his creation .
The surprising model and the unexpected love
Renoir’s love life is an anecdote in itself. His wife, Aline Charigot, whom he met at the Maison Fournaise, was a modest young woman, very different from the sophisticated models he usually painted. She is, in fact, one of the central characters in the painting Luncheon of the Boating Party. Their love was a turning point in his life. Aline bore him three sons, including the future film director Jean Renoir, and she became a central figure in his life and art, bringing a new softness and intimacy to his paintings.
(This article was generated by Gemini. And it’s just a reference document for discovering poet and poetries you don’t know yet.)