Renoir - A Famous Impressionist Painter

Pierre Auguste-Renoir was a French painter and sculptor, well-known for his classic portraits in oil on canvas that belonged to the impressionist school. His portraits are famous for their use of vibrant colour and light; many of which are candid representations of feminine sensuality.

Renoir was born on February 25, 1841, in Limoges and brought up in Paris. At the age of 13, he started to work in a porcelain factory in Paris as an apprentice painter. His early canvases were impressionist snaps of real life, full of sparkling light and colour. In 1862, he moved to the studio of Atelier Gleyre and during this period struck up lasting friendships with Sisley, Monet and Bazille. In the year 1867, he created a naturalistic painting entitled "Diana" which was greatly influenced by Courbet’s realism paintings.

He became recognized as a successful portrait artist in 1870 and his most remarkable work of this period is said to be his painting known as "Madame Charpentier and her Children". Renoir was a founding member of the review L’Impressionniste and he also published an article on the principles of contemporary art.

During the 1880s, he shifted from contemporary themes to timeless subjects, developing a simpler and more expansive impressionist style which can be seen in his painting "The Judgement of Paris". In 1881, Renoir began to sell his work through the well connected Paul Durand-Ruel, and was freed from financial problems. During this period his impressionist style reached its summit. In 1881-1882 he traveled to Italy and started to focus more on the outline of figures and drawings. This change in his painting style can be clearly seen in his work "The Umbrellas".

In the 1890s Renoir married Aline Charigot and in the same year he began to concentrate more on domestic aspects and monumental nudes. Some of the major works of this period include "Girls at the Piano" and "Grandes Baigneuses". His portraits "Luncheon of the Boating Party" and "The Swing" depict a forgotten world and are distinguished by sparkling colour and flickering light. "Luncheon of the Boating Party" remains one of the most recognised paintings of all time.

During this period, Renoir suffered from rheumatoid arthritis that severely cramped his movement. In 1898, after a severe attack of the illness his right arm was paralyzed. In spite of his illness, he created major sculpture works including "Victorious Venus". He continued to paint until his last years. Pierre Auguste-Renoir died on December 3, 1919.

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