Renoir: Revered and Reviled

Pierre-Auguste Renoir is celebrated for his impressionist depictions of Paris, which rank among the most beloved artworks globally. However, Renoir eventually grew weary of this artistic approach and decided to explore a new path. This film, inspired by the collection of 181 Renoir pieces housed at the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, delves into the new direction he pursued and the intense reactions it continues to evoke today. Some people find themselves repelled by Renoir’s later creations, while others are captivated. What might surprise many is that two towering figures of the 20th century, Picasso and Matisse, were among the artists who actively sought out Renoir’s new works and were significantly influenced by them.