Born in Limoges, France, this French painter was originally associated with the Impressionist movement. Renoir’s earlier works were typically Impressionist pictures of real life, being full of sparkling colour and light. However, around the mid-1880’s he had branched away from the movement to apply more of a formal technique to portraits, nudes, and figure paintings, particularly with women.
Not only was he a painter, but he was also a founding member of the impressionist movement, he ceased to exhibit with the group after 1877. Renoir developed a monumental, classically inspired style that influenced avant-garde giants such as Pablo Picasso. Renoir painted alongside Monet at La Grenouillère. I think their sketch-like technique of broad, loose brushstrokes and their brightened palette attempted to capture the effects of the sun streaming through the trees on the shimmering, rippling water. As soon as I saw his style and his works, I fell in love with them.