‘A world detached from struggles of urban life’: a rare exhibition of Renoir drawings

Rarely has a world been so detached from the struggles of urban life as seen in Pierre-Auguste Renoir's drawings, now on display at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York. This rare exhibition, the first in over a century devoted entirely to Renoir's works on paper, brings together more than 100 of these lesser-known pieces that reveal the artist's diverse range and innovative techniques.

From delicate pastel portraits of his friends and family members to lively studies of Parisian and rural life, these drawings showcase Renoir's unique ability to capture the beauty in everyday moments. With a keen eye for detail and a masterful use of color, Renoir's works on paper are not only beautiful but also revealing of his artistic process.

Born in Limoges in 1841, Renoir grew up in Paris and began his career as an artist decorating porcelain. However, it was his influence from fellow artists such as Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet that helped define the impressionist movement. By the late 1860s, Renoir had established himself as a prominent figure in the art world, experimenting with a brighter palette and lighter touch that set him apart from other artists of his time.

Among the many standout works on display is a rare pastel portrait of his friend Paul Cézanne, highlighting the close relationship between these two influential artists. This piece, along with several others, showcases Renoir's ability to capture the essence of those around him through his drawings.

However, it was not just his portraits that demonstrate Renoir's skill as an artist but also his preparatory work for some of his most famous paintings. The exhibition features a suite of drawings related to The Great Bathers, a monumental painting created during a period when arthritis severely limited Renoir's use of his hands. This remarkable series of studies not only showcases the artist's resilience but also highlights the importance of drawing in his creative process.

In a rare display of collaboration, Renoir worked with sculptor Richard Guino on The Judgement of Paris, a plaster sculpture that serves as a poignant reminder of the artist's adaptability and innovative spirit. This work is just one example of how drawings helped Renoir explore new mediums and techniques throughout his career.

The last comprehensive exhibition devoted to Renoir's drawings was held at the Galerie Durand-Ruel in Paris in 1921, making this exhibition a long-overdue opportunity for audiences to discover the full range of this artist's works on paper.

Renoir Drawings is now on display until February 8th at the Morgan Library & Museum, inviting viewers to delve into the world of this artistic genius and appreciate the beauty and skill that Renoir brought to his drawings.

I'm loving this exhibit! Renoir's works on paper are like a breath of fresh air - you can really see the beauty in everyday moments he captured with his pencil. And wow, 100+ pieces is crazy! I've never seen so many of his lesser-known drawings in one place before. The fact that they're showcasing his preparatory work for famous paintings is genius - it's like getting a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process. Can't wait to check out the Paul Cézanne portrait and see how Renoir used pastels to capture his friend's likeness. And what's with the collaboration with Richard Guino on The Judgement of Paris? That sculpture sounds amazing! Let's hope this exhibit stays open for a bit longer so we can all get our art fix

I mean, what's up with this whole art museum thing? It's just a bunch of old paintings and drawings... who cares? I was looking at some pics of the exhibit online and all I saw were old people staring at old pictures. Where's the innovation? What are they gonna do, just look at it for a bit and then forget about it? And what's with this "rare" exhibition that's been over a century in the making? Like, come on... make something new, you know?

I gotta say, what's really interesting about this exhibition is how it highlights the importance of drawing in an artist's creative process . I mean, think about it, in today's digital age, we're more used to instant gratification and social media, where everyone's always sharing their masterpiece... err, I mean, their selfie . But Renoir's ability to draw is a reminder that true artistry takes time, patience, and dedication.

And let's not forget about the politics of art, right? I mean, who gets to decide what's considered "masterpieces" anyway? Is it the critics, the galleries, or the artists themselves? It's like how politicians claim to represent the people, but in reality, they're just representing their own interests .

In all seriousness though, this exhibition is a great opportunity for us to appreciate Renoir's work on paper and learn more about his artistic process. And who knows, maybe it'll inspire some of you to pick up a pencil or charcoal and create something beautiful yourself .

omg i'm so hyped for this exhibition!!! i mean who knew renoir was more than just a pretty face? his drawings are giving me LIFE! i love how they're showcasing his lesser-known pieces, it's like he's the ultimate underrated artist . and can we talk about how cool it is that he worked with other famous artists like cezanne and guino? it's like he was part of an artistic squad . anyway, if you haven't checked out this exhibit yet, u gotta do it ASAP! the details are everything: jan 2025 - feb 8th at the morgan library & museum in nyc... mark my words, this is gonna be HUGE!!!

I'm so stoked about this exhibit! Renoir's works on paper are like a breath of fresh air after seeing all those fancy oil paintings everywhere. I love how he captured the everyday moments in his portraits - it's so relatable! And can we talk about his technique? He was literally a master of color and light. The way he used pastels to create these delicate, dreamy pieces is like magic .

I'm also loving the fact that this exhibit highlights his preparatory work for famous paintings. It's like we get to see the artist's process, which is so fascinating! And have you seen those drawings related to The Great Bathers? Mind blown . Renoir was a total rebel and adapted his style despite having arthritis - I mean, that's true inspiration right there .

The collaboration with Richard Guino on The Judgement of Paris is also super cool. Who knew Renoir was such a talented sculptor too? Anyway, this exhibit is like a must-see for art lovers. Don't miss it!

I'm so stoked to see these Renoir drawings going up at the Morgan Library & Museum ! I mean, have you seen some of the stuff he's done? Like, the way he can capture the essence of everyday life in Paris is just incredible . And that pastel portrait of Paul Cézanne? Mind. Blown.

I'm also loving how this exhibition highlights Renoir's preparatory work for his famous paintings - it's like, you get to see him experimenting with different techniques and mediums before he even gets started on the actual artwork .

I'm not really familiar with all the other artists that influenced him, but I do know that Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet were some big names back in the day . And it's wild to think about how Renoir was able to adapt his style as he got older - arthritis wasn't holding him back at all!

I've been meaning to check out this exhibition for ages, so I'm glad it's finally happening . If you're in NYC and you haven't seen it yet, you totally need to get yourself to the Morgan Library & Museum ASAP . It's going to be a blast from the past!