The Grands Boulevards

The Grands Boulevard by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

The Grands Boulevard is an oil painting that was painted in 1857 by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. The painting illustrates a busy Paris boulevard after the effects of Industrialization and Haussmannization.

Artist History

Pierre- Auguste Renoir was born February 25, 1841 in Limoges France. Renoir was a French Impressionist who often painted en plein air, but concentrated his work on the human figure and portraits. Renoir moved with his family to Paris in 1845 where he showed talent in all arts. When Renoir was thirteen he began an apprenticeship with Levy Freres, who was Renoir’s older sister Lisa’s fiancé. Under this apprenticeship, Renoir worked to make decorative bouquets on dishware. Renoir worked with porcelain until 1858 when he lost his job and went bankrupt. Renoirs work was inspired by Francois Noucher, Jean-Honore Fragonard, and Antoine Watteau (Davidson). In 1862 Renoir enrolled in Charles Gleyres studio which helped him extend his circle of artist friends. From 1867 to 1870, Gustave Courbet’s influence on Renoir’s work due to Renoir’s tool usage and what he chose to paint. Renoir had a mistress by the name of Camille and a son named Claude from Camille’s previous relationship. In 1870 Renoir was drafted for the Franco-Prussian War, but was back in Paris by March of 1871. In 1874 Renoir exhibited his first paintings with the impressionists but also continued to exhibit some paintings at the Salon. Renoirs works at the Salons got him recognition, and he was commissioned to do portraits of prominent people. During the 1880s Renoir moved away from his focus being on the figures of his works to how light affects a scene. He focused on how changing light alters the look and feel of the work. Renoir’s declining health eventually led to him being confined to a wheelchair and eventually died December 3, 1919 in Cagnes-sure-Mer, France (Davidson).

Composition of the Painting

Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s The Grands Boulevard was painted in 1875. The image illustrates the Haussmannization of Paris through the wide, paved street and the large concrete building to the right of the painting. The Boulevard is teeming with life, not only does the painting illustrate all classes, but it emphasizes the Flaneurs. Renoir’s image moves away from his emphasis on the human figure and moves towards how light affects the image. The people of Grands Boulevard have detailed clothing, which infers their social standing, but they are hidden from individuality because Renoir chooses not to show their faces. Renoir’s focus is how the buildings and the trees are affected by the sunshine. The painting shows great detail in the shadows created by the sunlight hitting the trees and even the shadow created by the people as well as the horse drawn carriage. Throughout the painting it is evident that Renoir was influenced by impression (Harris). The characteristics of impressionism that can be seen in Renoir’s work are short brush strokes and a seemingly out of focus view (House).

References

1. Davidson, Abraham A. "Pierre-Auguste Renoir." Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia. N.p.: n.p., 2013. N. pag. Print.
2. House, John. Impressionism : Paint And Politics / John House. n.p.: New Haven ; London : Yale University Press, c2004., 2004. Millsaps Library Catalog. Web. 16 Nov. 2014.
3. Harris, Beth, and Steven Zucker. "Renoir's The Grands Boulevards." - Smarthistory. Khan Academy, 13 Apr. 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.Beth Harris and Steven Zucker-Renoir's "The Grands Boulevards"