Contents
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Painting the light, movement and sociability of modern life as a leading Impressionist.
Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette · Luncheon of the Boating Party
- Born
- 25 February 1841
- Birthplace
- Limoges, France
- Died
- 3 December 1919
More people
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
French painter especially associated with portraits, dancers and outdoor gatherings. His later work returned to more solidly modelled figures.
Early life
A working family
His father was a tailor; the family moved to Paris while he was young.
Porcelain painting
An apprenticeship decorating porcelain preceded formal art study.
Career
- 1860s
Training in Paris
Studied with Charles Gleyre and met other future Impressionists.
- 1870s
Impressionist exhibitions
Helped establish the independent exhibitions that challenged the official Salon.
- 1880s–1919
Changing style
Reconsidered classical painting and continued working despite severe arthritis.
Selected work
Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette
A crowded outdoor dance filled with shifting light.
Luncheon of the Boating Party
Friends gather on a restaurant terrace beside the Seine.
The Large Bathers
A more structured arrangement of figures after his study of older art.
Beyond work
An artistic family
His sons included filmmaker Jean Renoir and actor Pierre Renoir.
Adapting to illness
Arthritis greatly restricted his movement, but he continued painting in his final years.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: Unknown Unknown Musée d'Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
