Bal du moulin de la Galette

1. Bal du moulin de la Galette Presented By: Lauren Patton

3. Pierre-Auguste Renoir • Born February 25th1841 in Limoges, Haute Vienne, France. • A French artist who was a leading painter in the development of the impressionist style. • Even when Renoir’s rheumatoid arthritis severely limited movement, and he was wheelchair bound he continued painting. • In a span of 60 years, Pierre Auguste Renoir executed more than 400 paintings. • He died December 3rd in 1919 at age 78.

5. Background information • This painting is commonly know as “Dance at Le moulin de la Galette”. • It is housed at the Muséed’Orsay in Paris and this painting is one of impressionism’s most celebrated masterpieces. • This painting depicts a typical Sunday afternoon at Moulin de la Galette in the district of Montmartre in Paris. In the late 19th century people would dress up and spend time there dancing, drinking, and eating galettes into the evening.

7. Technique • The Bal du moulin de la Galette is a typically impressionist snapshot of real life. • There is a richness of form, a fluidity of brush stroke, and a flickering light. • Oil on canvas

8. In depth • All or most Renoir’s paintings use impressionism and most depict a realistic moment or time. • Each one of Renoir’s paintings tells a story and in each of the characters faces there is a story. When you look into the eyes of each character there is real and raw emotion. • These paintings are not only impressionistic in technique but they are also impressionistic in effect. • Each painting leaves its mark and has a powerful effect.