Renoir
is one of the most famous painters of all time. He helped to
establish the movement known as Impressionism—a movement in which
painters didn't use their careful and precise brush strokes to
exactly copy reality, but instead used looser, more visible brush
strokes to convey movement and emotion. Artists began to show their
own personal impressions
of reality.
Renoir's
paintings include many happy scenes such as people dancing or rowing
on a lake or dining and laughing together.
You
see, during Renoir's early years, a man named Raoul Rigault was
running away from the police. Renoir saved the man from arrest by
hiding him.
Later,
in 1871, a group of Communists and anarchists had gained control of
Paris's government. Raoul Rigault, who had once run and hid from the
police, became a head of the “police” under this Commune
government.
One
day in 1871 Renoir was peacefully painting a scene by the Seine
River, when suddenly he was seized by members of the Commune.
Apparently these fellows thought Renoir must be a spy. They quickly
decided to kill Renoir and throw his body into the river. Lucky for
all of us, that's when Rigault showed up.
Rigaut
recognized in Renoir, not a famous painter (because he wasn't yet
famous), but his savior from years before. Rigualt returned the favor
and saved Renoir's life.
Celebrate
Renoir!
Fun Learning Activities for Children
has a page about Renoir.
Livingston-dot-org
has coloring pages emulating works by many artists, including Renoir.
And
Art Makes Kids Smart
has a suggestion for creating impressionistic landscapes using
markers. Great idea!
Garden of Praise
offers a short bio of Renoir along with puzzles and other activities.
Jigzone
offers
online jigsaw puzzles, including a puzzle made from a picture by
Renoir.
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on this date:
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