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Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a close friend of Monet, and they
would often paint together en plein air in the early years of
their careers. Renoir found early success in the Paris Salon,
but found his career stalled with the onset of the
Franco-Prussian War.
Having moved to Paris after the
war, he became inspired by city life and could often be found
painting on the banks of the Seine. Unlike his fellow
Impressionists in the first exhibition of 1874, his depictions
of Parisian life led to great success, and he was once again
participating in the Salon by the end of the decade.
Renoir was a prolific artist, creating several
thousand paintings during his lifetime. He died in 1919, the
same year he visited the Louvre to see his own work on display.
Art is about emotion; if art needs to be explained it is no longer art.
Born in Limoges, the son of a tailor.
Shows promise as an artist and works as a porcelain painter.
Enters Charles Gleyre’s studio, where he becomes friends with Monet and Sisley.
Starts exhibiting at the Paris Salon.
With Monet, Sisley, Pissarro, and several other artists, mounts the first Impressionist exhibition.
Paints The Luncheon of the Boating Party.
Marries Aline Charigot with whom he has three sons.
Develops rheumatoid arthritis that severely limits his mobility.
Moves to the Riviera for his health and continues to paint.
Visits Paris for the last time to see one of his paintings displayed at the Louvre; dies in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
1. Self-Portrait (detail), 1899, oil on canvas. The Clark Art Institute, Acquired by Sterling and Francine Clark, 1937, 1955.611.
2. Luncheon of the Boating Party, 1880–1881, oil on canvas. The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC, Acquired 1923, 1637.
3. Two Sisters (On the Terrace), 1881, oil on canvas. The Art Institute of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Larned Coburn Memorial Collection, 1933. 455.
4. Bouquet in a Vase, 1878, oil on canvas. Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, The Lockton Collection, 70.80.