"This book was first published to accompany the exhibition 'Renoir, Gemalde 1860-1917' 20 January to 27 May 1996 at Kunsthalle T bingen"--T.p. verso.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Perhaps the most beloved of the Impressionist painters, Auguste Renoir conveyed his joyous appreciation of everyday life through his channing still lifes, his luminous landscapes, and, in particular, his masterful and sensous figure paintings. He was admired and respected not only by the general public but also by such fellow artists as Matisse, Cezanne, and Picasso: "In his work we recognize an artist of great gifts who has 'he gratitude to respect them" wrote Matisse in an homage to Renoir in 1918.

This magnificent book presents a rich selection of Renoir's major works from throughout his fifty-year career. The book, which contains 117 color-plates and 65 black-and-white illustrations, discusses Renoir's development as a painter, the unique methods of his genius, and his importance as a leading artistic personality of his era.