Renoir’s Published Manuscript on the Nature of Art and the Artist

A remarkable and evocative description of art, from among history’s greatest artists, whose work is without precedent in public sale records

 

Reference for research, publication, and institutions: Raab R13.121

Renoir is today considered one of the great artists ever and a prominent figure of the Impressionist school. His work is characterized by a richness of feeling and a warmth of response to the world and to the people in it. His early works were typically Impressionist snapshots of real life, full of sparkling colour and light. His first major exhibition was in the 1870s. By the mid-1880s, he was well known and successful, and had evolved from the movement to apply a more disciplined, formal technique to portraits and figure paintings, particularly of women. Renoir was so passionate about painting that he even continued into the 1900s, when he was old and suffering from severe arthritis. Renoir then painted with the brush tied to his wrists.

He would live to see his works displayed at the Louvre alongside the great masters, a source of great pride to him. In 1887, because of his international renown, he was asked to donate, and did donate, several paintings to his “French Impressionist Paintings” catalog to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

As he looked back on his career, he gave a definition of an artist that could only come with experience and perspective. It is a remarkable statement on his work as an artist, on the artist’s profession, and on any profession requiring creativity, as well as a valuable perspective on life.

Autograph document signed, no date but 1904, Bourbonnes, likely sent to a writer or journalist, widely published.

“First – There is no art without craft. Craft is the pillar, the solidity of art. It is something one can learn only putting ones hand into the paint little by little. It’s the constant work that occupies you day and night over the course of years and years and that one never truly knows, that which escapes you the moment you believe to have held it.”

Here he crossed out: “It’s the most demanding mistress who wants only that her lover occupy himself exclusively with her and and who demands several generations before liberation.” This statement is, however, in itself significant.

“2nd – Art resides therefore in the craft, it’s undeniable, since you cannot have value in one if you do not have the other. All the great painters were first marvelous workers, and without their craft, which they deeply knew, we could no longer admire their works, because time would quickly have disposed of them.”

He adds as a PS: “This word ‘art’ is entirely modern. The ancients considered themselves only as workers and they were certainly correct.”

Some of Renoir’s most famous quotations are in this document. They are quoted in “Nature’s Workshop: Renoir’s Writings on the Decorative Arts”. This manuscript was likely obtained directly from Renoir by Pascal Grousset, a prominent member of the Paris Commune of 1871. After that ended, from the I870*s through the 1890’s, Grousset was engaged in literary and publicistic activity. From 1893 to 1909 he was a member of the French Chamber of Deputies. From him it was passed down to his descendants, who had it through the 20th century.