Renoir: Revered and Reviled

Pierre-Auguste Renoir is celebrated for his impressionist depictions of Paris, which rank among the most beloved artworks globally. Despite this acclaim, Renoir eventually grew weary of impressionism and shifted his artistic approach. This film, inspired by the collection of 181 Renoir pieces housed at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, explores the new path Renoir embarked upon and the intense reactions it continues to elicit today. Some viewers find his later works off-putting, while others are captivated by them. Interestingly, two of the 20th century’s most influential artists, Picasso and Matisse, were among those who actively sought out and were significantly inspired by Renoir’s later creations.