Artist of the Month, RENOIR

February
Pierre-Auguste Renoir February 25, 1841
1	Thomas Cole, 1801
2	William E. Artis, 1914
3	Norman Rockwell, 1894
4	Fernand Léger, 1881
5	Alison Saar, 1956
8	John Ruskin, 1819
8	Franz Marc, 1880
9	Robert Morris, 1931
10	Mary Lovelace O’Neill, 1942
11	William Henry Fox Talbot, 1800
12	Max Beckmann, 1884
12	Joan Mitchell, 1925
12	William Wegman, 1943
13	Grant Wood, 1892
15	Charles-François Daubigny, 1817
17	Raphaelle Peale, 1774
17	Hung Liu, 1948
18	Louis Comfort Tiffany, 1848
18	Max Klinger, 1857
19	Constantin Brancusi, 1876
20	Ansel Adams, 1902
22	Rembrandt Peale, 1778
22	Horace Pippin, 1888
23	Tom Wesselmann, 1931
24	Charles LeBrun, 1619
24	Winslow Homer, 1836
25	Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1841
26	Honoré Victorin Daumier, 1808
29	Augusta Savage, 1892 Renoir began painting flowers on porcelain to help his family survive financially when he was thirteen years old. He enrolled in night painting classes to refine his techniques when he could afford it. Eventually, he banded with classmates Monet, Sisley, Bazille and other Impressionists. They rebelled against the Salon painting styles which harked back to classical themes. The Impressionists were more interested in capturing everyday scenes and the shifting effects of light. At first the Impressionists were derided, but eventually achieved recognition and success. After exploring Impressionism for several years, Renoir visited Italy and was swept away by the art of Raphael, a famous Renaissance painter. After he returned to France, he began to paint people, especially beautiful women!  He painted into his 80's, never letting crippling arthritis stop him. His assistants used to tie his paint brushes to his hands so he could continue painting. I admire his enthusiasm and perseverance. We should raise a glass of (French) wine to salute this fantastic painter on his birthday.