Renoir, Paris and the Belle Epoque

by Karin Sagner-Düchting

Renoir was enchanted by the romance of Paris in dappled sunshine. His sensuous paintings bear witness to his delight in the young female form and in lively scenes of people meeting, dancing and talking. His delicate and distinctive brushwork conveys the shimmering brilliance of light and color, reflecting the optimism of la Belle Epoque. Renoir: Paris and the Belle Epoque demonstrates how the vibrancy of Paris was probably the single most important influence on the artist's life and work. It illustrates and examines Renoir's exquisite nudes and portraits of young girls, as well as his plein-air paintings, many inspired by the celebrated cafe-dansant in Montmartre, Le Moulin de la Galette, and the terrace of La Grenouillere, a bathing area on the Seine.