One of his masterpiece was sold US$143 Millions, he made 382 paintings , mostly portraits and joy of living , with stunning landscapes and sensual nudes, his paintings are exposed all over the world in Museum or part of private collection, but few of us know him...Let's introduce Auguste Renoir with some of his great paintings.
Le Lavandou - 1894 This painting represents a beach in the South of France, in remembrance of the period when Renoir spent time with his friend great painter Paul Cezanne
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
At the age of 14, the father of Auguste Renoir sent him to work at porcelain factory located in Limoges, to learn the art of painting, together with drawing lesson for 4 years, before entering the "Beaux arts" schools in Paris in 1862. His schoolmate were Alfred Sisley and Claude Monet.
The two sisiters - 1881 Conserved at the Art Institute of Chicago since 1933
Renoir enjoyed painting outdoor and produced a lot of impressionism portrait in Paris, both for a living and to improve his reputation
The Moulin de la Galette - 1876 The famous painting sold US$143 Millions at Ryoei Saito , represents an entertainment area with a windmill and a cabaret, near Paris, where artists, workers, the youth celebrated the joy of living , dancing, laughing, flirting all day.
The dance at bougival - 1882 Exposed at the Museum of fine Arts of Boston, a typical impressionism painting where we can feel the movement from the dress. The couple is dancing in the foreground, contrasting with the people in the back, the man seems trying kiss the young girl who presents him her cheek.
Female bather sitting on a rock- 1892 from Sammlung Durand-Ruel private collection, female nudes is one of the favorite subject from the painters with the light
Luncheon of the Boating Party - 1880 conserved at the Philipps Collection in Washington, a colorful impressionism painting with friends from Renoir as models, having lunch on the terrasse. The woman playing with a little dog in the foreground on the left is the future wife from Renoir, Aline Charigot. This painting will become one of the main artwork from Renoir, with the light contrasts and shadows, the face of the womans porcelain white, shiny colors and relax atmosphere
Pont neuf - 1872 conserved at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, this painting was done in only one day, Renoir was sitting at the second floor terrasse of a cafe in Paris. The impressionism style with the movement of a busy city, the sunlight bringing intensity, and the smooth blue color from the sky. The American historian John Rewald explained that Edmond the brother from Renoir went talking with the people passing by , asking them to hold on from few minutes, allowing Auguste the time to paint the scene with precision
Saint Marco square - 1881 exposed at the Museum of Institute of Art Minneapolis, this painting is more a sketch, it's sunset time in Venice, Auguste Renoir was visiting Italy for the first time and painted all the main monuments as they will sell easily. There are not much details, except from the pigeons, and the main subject is the church with a beautiful contrast game with the yellows and oranges
In 1898 Pierre-Auguste Renoir is diagnosed with the first sign of acute rheumatism. He moved to live in the South of France in 1905, where he continue painting with pencils attached to his wrist ! His last words were "" Fast, some colors !.. give me back my palette ""
Hope you enjoyed this short introduction about Pierre-Auguste Renoir and the impressionism !
Saw the French version first and that led me here. Do you speak French?