Pierre Auguste Renoir

Pierre Auguste Renoir

Portrait of Renoir

by Bazill

"Why shouldn't art be pretty? There are enough unpleasant things in the world.”

— Pierre Auguste Renoir

Find beautiful framed art prints by Pierre Auguste Renoir.

“It is not enough for a painter to be a clever craftsman; he must love to 'caress' his canvas, too.”

— Pierre Auguste Renoir

Two Sisters by Renoir

Les Deux Soeurs

by Pierre Auguste Renoir

Renoir

Pierre Auguste Renoir

French Painter, 1841 - 1919

Pierre Auguste Renoir is perhaps the best-loved of all the Impressionists for his cheerful subject matter - pretty children, flowers, graceful women and intimate portraits of French middle-class life. He loved to show gay groups in sensuous surroundings, and often used his friends as models. In his early works, he embodied the Impressionist ideals of depicting outdoor scenes with sparkling color and light.

The Steps, Algiers

The Steps, Algiers

by Pierre Auguste Renoir

Renoir was born in Limoges, France in 1841. He was apprenticed to learn porcelian painting after he showed an early talent for drawing. He painted window shades and fans in Paris. In 1862, he entered the studio of Gleyre and formed lasting friendships with other Impressionists, including Claude Monet and Alfred Sisley. In addition to Renoir, the most well-known of the Impressionists were: Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassat, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, and Alfred Sisley.

Together with Monet, Renoir developed the broken color technique of the Impressionists. Instead of mixing paints completely, they left small dabs of different colors side by side, permitting the eye to blend them together. In contrast to Monet, however, Renoir was more interested in rich color effects and solidity of form whereas Monet was more interested in the effect of light on objects. Renoir preferred figure painting. Monet preferred landscapes.

Girl with Watering Can

Girl with Watering Can

by Pierre Auguste Renoir

Renoir traveled to Italy in 1880 and his study of Renaissance painters there led him to a new appreciation of the importance of line. Upon his return to France, he spent several years concentrating on drawing. His famous series, The Bathers, was painted during this time.

Although Renoir's later work maintains a happy quality, it doesn't show the agony he suffered from arthritis. When his hands were crippled, in order to continue working , he had brushes tied to his hands and developed a style of painting in broad brush strokes and vivid colors.

Find beautiful framed art prints by Pierre Auguste Renoir.

More art by Renoir

Luncheon of the Boating Party

Luncheon of the Boating Party

by Pierre Auguste Renoir

Renoir portrayed a carefree group of people at an informal moment. The woman holding the dog is Renoir's wife.

Grand Canal, Venice

Grand Canal, Venice

by Pierre Auguste Renoir

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