Renoir: Revered And Reviled 2016

This year is the centenary of the death of French Impressionist master Auguste Renoir. His depiction of the charming and romantic 19th century French middle-class life in such paintings as "Dance at Le moulin de la Galette" and "Luncheon of the Boating Party" still fascinate viewers to this day, while the "Dance series" from 1883 remains his most popular works. Renoir sought beauty throughout his life and depicted women with grace and gentility, while many of his paintings of female nudes are considered masterpieces. Even though he suffered from arthritis in his later years, causing him unbearable pain, he sought refuge in prolific work, which became his panacea. Renoir not only bequeaths posterity with numerous immortal art pieces, his son, Jean Renoir, was a notable film director who was honored with an Oscar Award for Lifetime Achievement. This father and son duo created countless wonderful pictorial spectacles for us to enjoy, and left their indelible mark in the history of the visual arts.