Auguste Renoir
Pierre Auguste Renoir was a leader in the Impressionist movement of the 19th century. Early in his career, Renoir adhered to the Impressionist standard, but by the mid 1880’s he became focused with the more disciplined formal techniques of painting. Renoir’s popularity was highly influenced by his love of all things beautiful. His subjects included pretty children, flowers, gorgeous landscapes, and above all lovely women. This is exemplified by his quote, `Why shouldn't art be pretty? There are enough unpleasant things in the world.' Renoir’s ‘Girl Playing Guitar' is an alluring painting depicting a young woman in a lovely white ethereal gown with large tangerine colored ribbons. Her chestnut hair is piled atop her crown in a loose bun. A few stray tendrils escape and create a halo around her porcelain face. The girl is seated on a plush red chair as she tenderly strums her guitar lost in her own dreams.
