Artist Pierre Auguste Renoir: works, paintings, biography and interesting facts

An 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, the price of which at auctions today ranges from several tens to several hundred million dollars.

Family and children's years

Born Pierre Auguste Renoir February 25, 1841 in a wealthy 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 deal for him. As brother Auguste told, the parents saw how the boy draws charcoal on the walls, and decided to give it to apprentices in the workshop on the painting of porcelain. The leader of the church choir, in which the boy sang, seriously insisted that he be given to study music, since he had excellent makings. But Auguste was lucky, in the studio he learned the basics of the decorative art of painting and felt an attraction to fine art. In the evenings, he was able to attend a free school of painting.

Gaining the vocation

In 1861, Renoir entered the School of Fine Arts, working diligently in the workshop for painting plates, and later on painting the fans, he was able to save money for studies. Also Auguste visits the workshop of S. Glayer, in which he studied next to A. Sisley, C. Monet and F. Basile. He often went to the Louvre, where he was most inspired by the works of A. Watteau, O. Fragonard, V. Bushe.

In the early 60-ies Renoir is drawing closer to the artists, who later will become the foundation of the Impressionist community. Since 1864, after completing his studies, Renoir begins to work independently. At this time he tries himself in different genres and stops his choice on the set, which will remain true all his life, these are still lifes, everyday scenes, nude nature and landscapes. Auguste Renoir, whose works are still under the influence of barbizones, Courbet, Corot, Prudhon, gradually develops his own style of writing.

The search for a way in art

After graduation, the artist Pierre Auguste Renoir goes on a difficult voyage to gain fame and income. There come times of poverty, searches and stormy Parisian life. Renoir talks a lot with her friends at the studio: Sisley, Basile, Monet, they heatedly discussed the ways of the new art and about the authorities. For young artists the great size was E. Manet, who in the mid-sixties became close to the group of future impressionists. Auguste Renoir, whose works so far have no demand, writes a lot from nature, a group of comrades often goes to the open air. The artist had very little money, and he shared the apartment with K. Monet, then A. Sisley.

Impressionism and Renoir

The beginning of the sixties is the time of the formation of impressionism. Young artists, inspired by the work of E. Manet, seek to find new expressive forms, trying to overcome the academic art of the previous eras. The 1970s were the time of Impressionism maturing. 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 canvases, including "Lodge" and "Dancer", but he, like the whole exhibition, had no success. Impressionism proclaimed a new philosophy and technique, a special color is becoming important, artists are trying to convey on the canvas a momentary impression of the phenomenon. At this time, Auguste Renoir, whose works are also created in the style of impressionism, works very hard, he creates a whole galaxy of masterpieces: "Ball in Moulin de la Galette", "Swing", "Naked in the sunlight". Gradually, the ways of the impressionists and Renoir diverge, he ceases to participate in the exhibitions of the community, preferring to go his own way. In the late 70's - early 80's Renoir acquires a certain fame, and with it orders. He writes pictures that he exhibits in the Salon, in particular, the work "A cup of hot chocolate", "Portrait of Mrs. Charpentier with children". Such an exhibition provided an opportunity to receive the orders that are necessary for poor Renoir. Also at this time he writes famous works: "Boulevard Clichy", "Breakfast rowers", "On the terrace."

Years of glory

Sale of paintings allowed Renoir to travel, he visits Algeria and Italy, writes a lot of 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 is replenished with such works as "Umbrellas", a series of "Dances", "Big Bathers". The years from 1883 to 1890 are called the Engrod period, since the artist is under some influence of this painter. At this time, Pierre Auguste Renoir became the most popular. Life and work of the artist are stable. He was able to achieve a decent income, among his customers a lot of 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 always distinguished high performance, he experienced real pleasure from painting and gave himself to the full.

"Pearlescent" 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 of Jean", "Spring", "Figures in the Garden," "Still Life with Anemones." These works are filled with a special light and skill of a great artist.

The last years of his life the painter suffered from illness, it prevented him from writing, although he creates a number of significant works. But he gave at that time a preference for sculpture.

Private life

Biography of Auguste Renoir, whose paintings are in the best museums in the world, is not rich in events. Although in his life there were many women, he wrote a lot from the female nature, but he was happy in marriage. He married in 1890 on Alina Sharigo, a girl of peasant origin, who was calm about her husband's hobbies. She gave birth to three sons Renoir, one of whom, Jean, became a famous film director of the 20th century.

The happy life of Renoir 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 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 facts about biography

Auguste Renoir is a knight and officer of the Legion of Honor, he received awards for his achievements in painting in 1900 and 1911.

The most expensive painting of Renoir was the work "Ball in the Moulin de la Galette", which was auctioned for 78 million dollars.

The largest collection of works by Renoir was collected by Albert Barnes, who was literally obsessed with the artist. He bought even weak student work, in addition, in his collection, many works of "mother-of-pearl" and "red" periods and rare paintings of the last years of life.