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Pierre-Auguste Renoir

French painter and sculptor (1841-1919) · France · Artists · Died at 78

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Renoir painted light itself - dappled sun through leaves, the flush of skin, the shimmer of a Paris afternoon. His canvases made Impressionism warm, sensual, unapologetically pretty, carrying a line from Rubens forward into the modern age.

ArtistsArtistPaintingSculptureTalk ShowsDJFranceEurope

A life in dates

1919Died3 December 1919Commander of the Legion of HonourAward1911Officer of the Legion of HonourAward1901Knight of the Legion of HonourAward1884“Nature abhors a vacuum, say the physicists. They could complete their axiom by adding that it has no less a horror of regularity.”In their words(1884) proposal for a "Society of Irregularists"; as quoted by Robert L. Herbert, Impressionism: Art, Leisure, and Parisian Society (1988)

1881“I'm struggling with flowering trees [in Spring 1881, shortly after his Algeria trip] and with women and children.”In their wordsMarch 1881pp. 156-157 : a letter to Théodore Duret, March 1881

“..I have suddenly become a traveler, and I am afflicted with a fever for seeing Raphael's. So I am in the process of swallowing up Italy.”In their wordsp. 159 : in a letter to madame Charpentier, Autumn 1881

“I am still going through an experimental stage. I'm not happy, and I keep scrubbing out and scrubbing out again. I hope this mania will pass..”In their words21 November 1881p. 169 : quote from Renoir's letter to his art-seller Durand-Ruel, 21st November 1881

1880“You haven't time to think about the composition.”In their words(before 1880) As quoted in Renoir - his life and work, Francois Fosca, Book Club Associates /Thames and Hudson Ltd, London 1975, p. 176

1870“[ Bazille..] had not died romantically, galloping over a Delacroix' battlefield.. ..but stupidly, during the retreat, on a muddy road.. ..that pure-hearted gentle knight..”In their wordsas cited in Renoir, my Father, Jean Renoir; p. 124; as quoted in The private lives of the Impressionists, Sue Roe, Harpen Collins

1841Born25 February 1841

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Pierre Auguste Renoir, uncropped imagePierre Auguste Renoir, uncropped image(pierre-auguste renoir le chapeau epingle112516)(pierre-auguste renoir le chapeau epingle112516)2010 Albert Andre Jardin Renoir2010 Albert Andre Jardin RenoirAcrobats at the Cirque Fernando (Francisca and Angelina Wartenberg) (1879) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Original from The Art Institute of Chicago. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel. (50623956052)Acrobats at the Cirque Fernando (Francisca and Angelina Wartenberg) (1879) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Original from The Art Institute of Chicago. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel. (50623956052)AugusteRenoirPlaqueAugusteRenoirPlaqueBaigneuse debout, à mi-jambes (Standing Bather, Down to the Knees) (1910) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Original from Yale University Art Gallery. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel. (50623853111)Baigneuse debout, à mi-jambes (Standing Bather, Down to the Knees) (1910) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Original from Yale University Art Gallery. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel. (50623853111)Bust of a Young Woman (Mlle Dieterle) (1899) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Original from Yale University Art Gallery. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel. (50623853131)Bust of a Young Woman (Mlle Dieterle) (1899) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Original from Yale University Art Gallery. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel. (50623853131)Buste d’enfant, Pierre RenoirBuste d’enfant, Pierre Renoir

In their own words 10

,
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
,
10 statements, newest first

  1. Nature abhors a vacuum, say the physicists. They could complete their axiom by adding that it has no less a horror of regularity.

    1884, (1884) proposal for a "Society of Irregularists"; as quoted by Robert L. Herbert, Impressionism: Art, Leisure, and Parisian Society (1988), Own words

  2. He [ Richard Wagner ] was very happy but very nervous [Renoir proposed him to paint his portrait]..

    Jan 15, 1882, Quote of Renoir, in his letter to a friend, 15 Jan. 1882; as cited in 'Pierre Auguste Renoir - Richard Wagner', text of museum D'Orsay, Own words

  3. One day, while I was painting a landscape in the neighbourhood of Algiers [March 1881] I saw a man approaching who seemed to be dressed in purple and cloth-of-gold..

    Mar 1881, pp. 156-157 : quote, 1881 on the illusion by sunlight, from Renoir et ses amis, Georges Riviere., Own words

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Awards

Commander of the Legion of Honour1919
Officer of the Legion of Honour1911
Knight of the Legion of Honour1901

Family

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

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About this person

Born February 25, 1841, Renoir came up as one of the core French Impressionists, but where others chased structure or atmosphere, he chased beauty - specifically feminine beauty, rendered in soft strokes and glowing color. His work became the warmest corner of the movement, a bridge from Baroque masters like Rubens and Watteau into something new. He painted until his death on December 3, 1919, leaving three sons: actor Pierre, filmmaker Jean, and ceramic artist Claude. Jean would go on to become one of cinema's great directors; his son Claude, Renoir's grandson, followed him into film.

Country
France
Category
Artists
Type
Artist
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1841 to 1919 · aged 78

Artists from France 6

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