La Grenouillère (The Frogpond) 1869 Stockholm National Museum Pierre-Auguste Renoir has left the world many joyful pictures of people having fun. The main exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay is entitled: Renoir and Love. Happy Modernity (1865-1885). The above painting was intended to be a preparatory study for a large work that was never made. Painting alongside Monet, Renoir was developing what became known as the Impressionist technique- juxtaposing small touches of pure colour to capture the open air scene. The exhibition has brought together two of Renoir's large chefs d'oeuvres. Firstly his "Moulin de la Galette" painted in Montmartre in 1876: Le Bal du Moulin de la Galette (The Mill of the Galette ball) 1876 Musée d'Orsay Friends and models posed for Renoir's ambitious work. They even helped him carry the huge canvas to and from his studio in Montmartre. He integrates all the figures masterfully in his convivial scene. Shown at the third Impr...
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (taken at the International Financial Centre, Dubai) 2007 English photographer Martin Parr (1952-2025) did his own thing. From an early age he was interested in photography and despite his teachers' lack of enthusiasm, over fifty five years he created a fascinating body of work with his own stamp on it. He recorded global clichés and everyday excesses. A selection of his photos is being shown at the Jeu de Paume gallery this spring. With his wry sense of humour, he captured quirky behaviour and oddities: Venice Beach, California, U.S.A. 1998 At one time he was accused by some members of the most prestigious Magnum agency of sneering at the working classes from a middle class point of view, but his original style eventually prevailed and he became a full member, then president of the agency from 2013 to 2017. His photos often have lots of points of interest in them: Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain 1993 The exhibition notes desc...