Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1841-1919: A dream of harmony

Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) represented by far, one the lofty painters of the second half of the XIX Century. His enslaving talent allowed to make a true sweep through the most diverse tendencies. His visible influences received from Courbet, Van Gogh and Delacroix, did not leave on him, a perennial trace. The presence of Cézanne and Monet irrupted strongly in the necessity of rejecting the conservative patterns and raid in new stylistic proposals. He was not only a notable Realist artist but also crossed the Impressionist threshold, in an untiring process of self renovation and fervent conveyance. "Nowadays there is a tendency to explain everything. But if I could explain painting, it would not an artwork. Must I tell you what qualities constitute to my judge, the true art? It must be indescribable and inimitable...The artwork must captive the watcher, bundle him, drag him. Through it, the artist communicates his passion; it is the current that emits and through includes the watcher in itself:" Renoir. Admirable and compelling biography that it will catch you from the first page.

I'm in love with The Impressionists in general and with Auguste Renoir in particular. His palette is full of light; soft pink, greens and blues are a joy to watch time and again. As most Impressionists Renoir paint wonderful every day scenes, mainly outside as his magnificent: "The Luncheon of the Boating Party" (1881), "The Swing" (1876) and "Le Moulin de la Galette" (1876), whose careful reproductions are shown here. He was an artist that loved life and wanted to reflect it as he perceived: full of little moments of simple joy and relax. He was also a masterful portrayer as you may see from his "On the Terrace" (1881) in the cover of this book or "Two Girls in Black" (1881). Another subject that attracted his fancy was the dancing couple, which he depicts with tenderness and accuracy. It doesn't matter if the dancers are from the high class as in "City Dance" or commoners as in "Dance at Bougival" both from 1883. At the end of his life his paintings evolve and produce for our delight: "Seated Bather" (1914) and "The Nymphs" (1918). His life and works are described and commented by the author with keen penetration and endearment. Reproductions are awesome and do justice to the Artist. Do not miss this book! Reviewed by Max Yofre.

WOW! What a collection in this book!For any Renoir lover, student, artist, teacher or simply someone who wants to see a fantastic collection by one artist in one book.Unsurpassed as a coffee-table conversation piece."A Dream of Harmony"!