Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Born in Limoges, France, painter and sculptor Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) began his artistic career at the age of 13 decorating porcelain in his hometown's world-famous factory. He went on to become one of the most beloved of the French Impressionists because of his beautiful subjects and masterful use of color and light.

Renoir studied with Charles Gleyre in Paris and started exhibiting paintings at the Paris Salon in 1864, though his acclaim did not come until 1874 when six of his paintings were chosen for the first Impressionist exhibition in Paris. He is quoted as having said, "Why shouldn't art be pretty? There are enough unpleasant things in the world."