Nude Woman Reclining, Facing Left

Born into a humble family in Limoges, Renoir’s abilities as a draughtsman were quickly recognised in his work in the town’s porcelain factories and in 1862 he began studying in the studio of Charles Gleyre in Paris. There he met Sisley, Monet and Bazille who, along with himself, were to become famous Impressionist painters.

Having featured in the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874, Renoir’s art came to public notice. Later that year his work was shown by the famous dealer Durand-Ruel in London and his paintings have since become iconic images of the Impressionistic movement, though he was not bound by the genre. From 1907 Renoir lived on his coastal farm at Cagnes-sur-Mer where he died twelve years later.