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 impressionsof 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 Childrenhas a page about Renoir.
Livingston-dot-orghas coloring pages emulating works by many artists, including Renoir.
And Art Makes Kids Smarthas a suggestion for creating impressionistic landscapes using markers. Great idea!
Garden of Praiseoffers a short bio of Renoir along with puzzles and other activities.
Jigzoneoffers online jigsaw puzzles, including a puzzle made from a picture by Renoir.
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