The Creative Corner
by Linda Kastner, [email protected]
As part of the Creative Corner, I not only enjoy showcasing the wonderful art work created by MDS students, but I also like to educate the community on the Visual Arts. MDS has always been a learning community and it is with great pleasure that I share my years of experience devoted to art education and art appreciation with the community in addition to my students. There is certainly something for everyone to enjoy and benefit from. What would art be without our master artists who changed the course of art history? So periodically I will focus on an artist using his birthday as excuse to celebrate his creativity.
“I was a very diligent student; I ground away in the academic way ……. But I never obtained the slightest honorable mention and my professors were unanimous in finding my painting wretched.”
- Pierre Auguste Renoir
Renoir was born in Limoges, France on February 25, 1841 and died on December 3, 1919. He was a leading impressionistic painter and one of the most famous artists of the early 20th century. His work planted the seed for Modern Art as he changed the technique of applying paint as well as the theory of painting. He painted his “impression” of what he saw, instead of exactly what he saw. His trademark feathery brushstrokes depicting rural and domestic scenes embraced a brighter sundrenched palette of color which gave his work a warm and sunny feeling.
Some art historians say that Renoir was the last artist to represent the traditional style. He painted right up until his death and he lived to see one of his works bought by the Louvre in 1919, which was a tremendous honor. His largest collection of paintings - 181 total is in the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, PA.
We have a great collection here in New York at the Metropolitan Museum. Paris is also home to many of Renoir’s paintings.
Happy Birthday Renoir!