Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Impressionist master Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) celebrated life's pleasures with vibrant light, saturated color, and joyful scenes of Parisian leisure. His intimate compositions focus on people, particularly the female nude, which remained his primary subject throughout his career. Broken brushstrokes and bold combinations of complementary colors capture light, movement, and sensuous beauty. Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette and Luncheon of the Boating Party rank among Impressionism's greatest achievements.

Renoir began as a porcelain painter at 13 before studying under Charles Gleyre, where he met Monet, Bazille, and Sisley. He participated in the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874. His portrait of Madame Charpentier brought fashionable success in 1878. A trip to Italy in 1881 prompted a more classical, linear style. Despite crippling arthritis that forced him to paint with brushes tied to his wrists, Renoir continued working until his death. His wife Aline Charigot appears in many paintings, including Luncheon of the Boating Party. The Musee d'Orsay holds major works, while Luncheon hangs at the Phillips Collection in Washington.