Renoir

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

British art historian Spence brings his expertise to this "Great Artists of the World" series in a busy format combining text and reproductions liberally scattered on white backgrounds, exploring each artist's world, life, vision, and influence. This volume introduces Pierre-Auguste Renoir, who grew up in a large working-class family and struggled to support himself as a painter. Early influences include Romantic painter Delacroix and realist Courbet, though Renoir soon fell in with the Impressionists, often portraying friends enjoying entertainment like dancing at Le Moulin de la Galette or boating and dining along the Seine. His portraits of women and children usually showed them as sensuously, but innocently, lush and blooming. In later life, Renoir abandoned Impressionism to experiment with pigments and paint nudes inspired by classical models. Art-lovers will recognize some of the works shown, be surprised by others, and intrigued by photos like one of Renoir as an arthritic old man still painting. Though some critics believed his work to be too charming and decorative, Renoir became popular with the public and has now taken his place in art history as an influential member of the nineteenth-century Impressionists. This series is a contraction in size of an earlier set entitled—"Ticktock Essential Artists," 2009—with some added pages including "Did You Know?" facts, a timeline, artist quotations, analysis of one work (Two Sisters on the Terrace), lists of museums where Renoir's work can be seen, and a bibliography of books and websites. Though the unattractive hard covers make these volumes more durable for libraries, reduction in size has caused crowded pages, very small fonts, and reproductions marred by tight gutters. The extreme difference in price may also be a factor in deciding whether to purchase the old or new series. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

The "Ticktock Essential Artists" series presents six influential nineteenth-century French artists in a busy format combining text and reproductions on white backgrounds. The illustrations are liberally scattered across the pages and include extracted details. In four sections, art historian Spence explores each artist's world, life, vision, and influence. This volume introduces young art lovers to Pierre Auguste Renoir, who grew up in a large working class family and always struggled to support himself as a painter. Early influences included the Romantic Delacroix and realist Courbet, although Renoir soon fell in with the Impressionists and often portrayed friends entertaining by dancing at Le Moulin de la Galette, boating, or dining along the Seine. His portraits of women and children usually showed them as sensuously, but innocently, lush and blooming. In later life, Renoir abandoned Impressionism to experiment with pigments and paint nudes inspired by classical models. Readers will recognize some of the works shown and be surprised by others. They will be intrigued by photos like one of Renoir as an arthritic old man still painting. Though some critics believed the artist's work to be too charming and decorative, Renoir became popular with the public and has now taken his place in art history as an influential member of the nineteenth-century Impressionists. Crammed with information and reproductions of varying quality, this fascinating study works best if accompanied by volumes and DVDs showing the artists' work and, whenever possible, trips to museums to see originals; Renoir's admirers will enjoy Susan Vreeland's book, Luncheon of the Boating Party (Viking, 2007). Reviewer:Barbara L. Talcroft