The outstanding French painter, sculptor, graphic artist Pierre Auguste Renoir lived a long and fruitful life. During his life, he created more than a thousand paintings, whose price at auctions today ranges from several tens to several hundred million dollars.
Family and childhood
Pierre Auguste Renoir was born on February 25, 1841 in a poor large family of a tailor. He was the sixth child. When he was very young, the family moved to Paris, where Renoir grew up. From an early age, he was forced to start earning a living, but his parents found a job for him. As Auguste's brother told us, his parents saw the boy paint with coal on the walls, and decided to give it to an apprentice in the porcelain painting workshop. The head of the church choir in which the boy sang seriously insisted that he be given to study music, as he had excellent inclinations. But Auguste was lucky, in the studio he learned the basics of decorative mural art and felt attracted to the visual arts. In the evenings, he was able to attend a free painting school.
Gaining a calling
In 1861, Renoir entered the School of Fine Arts, working diligently in a plate-painting workshop , and later on fan-painting, he was able to save money for his studies. Auguste also visits the workshop of S. Gleyer, in which he studied next to A. Sisley, C. Monet and F. Basil. He often went to the Louvre, where he was most inspired by the works of A. Watteau, O. Fragonard, W. Boucher.
In the early 60s, Renoir became close to artists, who later became the basis of the impressionist community. Since 1864, after graduating, Renoir begins to work independently. At this time, he tries himself in different genres and chooses a set that will remain true to his whole life, such as still lifes, everyday scenes, nudity and landscapes. Auguste Renoir, whose works during this period are still influenced by the Barbizonians, Courbet, Corot, Prudon, is gradually developing his own style of writing.
Finding a Way in Art
After graduation, the artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir sets out on a difficult voyage to gain fame and provide income. There are times of poverty, quest, and vibrant Parisian life. Renoir talks a lot with his friends in the studio: Sisley, Basil, Monet, they hotly debated about the ways of new art and about authorities. For young artists, E. Manet was a large size, which in the mid-60s became close to a group of future impressionists. Auguste Renoir, whose works are not yet in demand, writes a lot from nature, a group of comrades often goes to open air. The artist had very little money, and he shared an apartment with K. Monet, then with A. Sisley.
Impressionism and Renoir
The beginning of the 60s is the time of the formation of impressionism. Young artists, inspired by the works of E. Manet, seek to find new expressive forms, trying to overcome the academicism of painting from previous eras. The 70s became the time of the maturation of impressionism. In 1874, the first exhibition of artists of the new school was held, which was named after K. Monet's work “Impression. Rising Sun". On it, Renoir shows six paintings, including "Lodge" and "Dancer", but he, like the whole exhibition, was not successful. Impressionism proclaimed a new philosophy and technique, special coloring becomes important, artists strive to convey on the canvas a momentary impression of the phenomenon. At this time, Auguste Renoir, whose works were also created in the style of impressionism, works a lot, he creates a galaxy of masterpieces: “Ball at the Moulin de la Galette”, “Swing”, “Naked in the Sunlight”. Gradually, the paths of the Impressionists and Renoir diverge, he ceases to participate in community exhibitions, preferring to go his own way. In the late 70s - early 80s, Renoir acquired a certain fame, and with it orders. He writes paintings that are exhibited in the Salon, in particular, the work “A Cup of Hot Chocolate”, “Portrait of Madame Charpentier with Children”. Such an exhibition made it possible to receive the orders that poor Renoir needed. Also at this time he writes famous works: “Clichy Boulevard”, “Rowers Breakfast”, “On the Terrace”.
Years of fame
The sale of paintings allowed Renoir to travel; he visits Algeria and Italy, writes many landscapes. He also gets the opportunity to live outside the city, where he constantly had a nature. The gallery of paintings by Renoir Pierre Auguste replenished with such works as "Umbrellas", a series of "Dances", "Big Bathers." The years from 1883 to 1890 are called the "Engra" period, since the artist is under some influence of this painter. At this time, Pierre-Auguste Renoir became the most popular. The life and work of the artist gain stability. He was able to achieve a decent income, among his customers there are many representatives of the new bourgeoisie, his paintings are exhibited in Brussels, London, Paris. At this time he travels a lot, enjoys life and works a lot. Renoir was always distinguished by high efficiency, he experienced real pleasure from painting and was fully committed to the work.
"Mother of Pearl" period
The last decade of the 19th century is called the “mother-of-pearl” period of the artist. Auguste Renoir, whose works retained their individuality, begins to experiment with color transitions, which gives the paintings a special charm. During this period, the artist creates such masterpieces as “Son Jean”, “Spring”, “Figures in the Garden”, “Still Life with Anemones”. These works are filled with the special light and skill of a great artist.
In the last years of his life, the artist suffered from an illness, this prevented him from writing, although he creates a number of significant works. But at that time he preferred sculpture.
Private life
The biography of Auguste Renoir, whose paintings are in the best museums in the world, is not rich in events. Although there were many women in his life, he wrote a lot from female nature, but he was happy in marriage. He married in 1890 Alina Sharigo, a girl of peasant origin, who calmly related to her husband's hobbies. She gave birth to Renoir three sons, one of whom, Jean, became a famous filmmaker of the 20th century.
Renoir's happy life was overshadowed by illnesses, he was never distinguished by good health, but after a hand injury in 1897, he developed arthritis, which led to almost complete immobility at the end of his life. But, overcoming the pain, Renoir continued to work until the very last day of his life. The artist died on December 2, 1919.
Unknown and interesting biography facts.
Auguste Renoir is a gentleman and officer of the Legion of Honor, he received awards for his achievements in painting in 1900 and 1911.
The most expensive painting by Renoir was the work “Ball at the Moulins de la Galette,” which was auctioned for $ 78 million.
The largest collection of Renoir's works was collected by Albert Barnes, who was literally obsessed with the artist. He even bought weak student work, in addition, in his collection there are many works of the “mother-of-pearl” and “red” periods and rare paintings of the last years of his life.