Impressionism19th century

Renoir

1841-1919

Self portrait & Background

Born in france, working class background

Painted in porcelain factory, showed talent as a young boy

Education and influences

Went to Art college (Ecole des Beaux Arts) Studied under Charles Gleyre, Met other

impressionists (Sisley, bazille, Monet) Renoir was influenced by the old masters,

(Raphael) but became confused between tradition and innovation which is seen later in his work.

He lived near Monet, and often painted outdoors with him. (plein air)

Influences - Raphael

Renoir went to Italy and saw Raphaels work. He wasn’t happy with his own style anymore. He changed his approach to painting making it more formal and solid. More about drawing!

“The school of Athens” 1509-1510By Raphael, famous Renaissance artist!

Influences - monet / plein air

Renoir lived near Monet. The two artists painted outdoors together whenever they could afford paint.This was crucial to the development of “Plein Air”

A painting by Renoir of Monet painting in his garden.

Themes of Renoirs work

People enjoying themselves!

“Luncheon of the Boating Party” 1881

Themes of Renoirs work

Images from contemporary life!

"Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette "

Themes of Renoirs work

Bright colours and the effect of sunlight!

“Woman and child”

Themes of Renoirs work

Humanity, particularly women!

“Sleeping Girl” 1880

Themes – a summary

People enjoying themselves.

Images from contemporary life.

Bright colours and the effect of sunlight.

Humanity, particularly women!

Renoir – “The Impressionist”

Renoir was very involved in “The Impressionist” movement from it’s earliest days and was one of it’s chief organisers of the 1874 exhibition.

Break with The Impressionists

He continued to be involved with the 2nd and 3rd shows, but he was the first of The Impressionists to return to painting for the “Salon”,and also the first to break with the new technique!

Renoirs technique - painting

Renoir had great confidence in his use of colour. With short, soft strokes and delicate grades of colour, he produced gentle,vague contours so that everything blended – even “blurred”!

How did he paint?

Short, soft, brush strokes!

Renoirs Technique

Details can no longer be seen among these veils of colour

Vague painting hints and describes the image Renoir wants you to see.

“Summer Landscape-Woman with a Parasol in a Garden”

Renoirs Technique – Plein Air

Painting outside allowed Renoir to study the effects of sunlight.

Renoirs Technique - Light

He liked to work with dappled light, sunlight breaking through a canopy of trees.

Examples of Renoirs Work

Luncheon of the Boating Party

Dance at the Moulin de la Galette

The umbrellas

Luncheon of the Boating Party 1881

Theme

People enjoying themselves.

Images from contemporary life.

Bright colours and the effect of sunlight.

Humanity, particularly women!

CompositionBackgroundMidgroundForegroundFocal point

Focal point in the centreShe is staring out to us, suggests a relationship between artist and lady.This invites us into the PaintingThe composition is linked together by all the people glancing at each other

Composition

This woman on the left of the paintingwith the dog is “Aligne Charigot”,Renoir’s future wife and favourite model.

Renoirs study of light

Sunlight breaking through a canopy of trees, dappled light.

Renoirs TechniquePaint application

Renoir had great confidence in his use of colour. With short, soft strokes and delicate grades of colour, he produced gentle,vague contours so that everything blended – even “blurred”!

Dance at the Moulin de la Galette1876

Theme

People enjoying themselves.

Images from contemporary life.

Bright colours and the effect of sunlight.

Humanity, particularly women!

Composition

This is a very crowded composition, it adds to the atmosphere of people having fun.

It depicts a typical Sunday afternoon at Moulin de la Galette in the district of Montmartre in Paris. In the late 19th century, working class Parisians would dress up and spend time here dancing, drinking, and eating galettes into the evening.

Background

Midground

Foreground

Focal point

Composition - 3 sections

The painting shows perspective with a blurry background, the seperation between the background and the crowds dancing form a natural horizontal line.

composition

The tree forms a vertical line through the Composition.

composition

A final horizontal line is formed by the benches, tables and chairs.

Study of light

The light shines through the leaves of the trees and dances over the ground and the figures in countless little patches ofglimmering colour.The people as well as the ground seem tovibrate in the play of light between the Dark and light patches

Technique – Paint Application

Details can no longer be seen among these veils of colour

Vague painting hints and describes the image Renoir wants you to see.

Change in technique

During the early 1880’s after visiting italy, Renoir felt he knew nothing about drawing and painting.He changed his approach,resulting in paintings that became more stiff and hard edged.He overcame this problem and his work developed a new firmness in his forms.

The Umbrellas 1881

Theme

A young woman from a lower social class amongst others that are well dressed.

Contemporary life Young women

Composition

Young woman on the left of the painting draws your attention.

Her simple dress tells us she’s from a working class background.

Since working class women were often the objects of male attention,the picture is designed to prompt the viewer into imagining himself making an advance to the girl.

Composition

The young girl with the hoop is aware that The painter is watching the young woman

Composition

There’s a strong sense of line in this painting, resulting in our eyes travelling around the painting.HoopBasketUmbrella handlesEdges of umbrellas

Study of light

Whilst there is a stronger sense of drawing in this painting, Renoir still explores light.this can be seen in detail on the ladys clothes as the drapery folds.

Technique

This painting is an example of when renoirs technique changed. We can see more evidence of drawing – sharp,clearer outlines

However, renoirs previous style of painting is still evident on the little girls body and face (soft, feathery style

This painting clearly marks the transitionbetween one style and another

Lifetime 1841-1919

Renoir lived in the south of Frace in his last years

Arthritis affected him from his late 50’s on and eventually crippled him and confined him to a wheelchair,he continued to paint.

He lived to see his paintings in the Louvre