"The simplest subjects are eternal. . . . one can invent nothing better." Renoir (as recorded in A. Andre, Less Dessins de Renoir, 1921)

Paysage de Bretagne exhibits the vivid color and fluid brushstroke that characterize Renoir's revolutionary work. A classic example of Renoir's renowned aesthetic, this exciting landscape is a symphony of the vibrant greens, pale blues and warm yellows that he so loved. Renoir's landscapes are considered to be among the most important of all of his works, and this outstanding oil is one of his finest.

Renoir's mastery of outdoor light is eloquently rendered in this painting. The trees and foliage seemingly dance in the gentle breeze, an effect executed with a discerning blend of soft, swift strokes and heavier, more broad applications of luminous color. Renoir, like other renowned artists including Paul Gauguin and Paul Signac, was inspired by the lush, scenic peninsula located in northwestern France.

Perhaps one of the best loved Impressionists of all time, Renoir is famous for his extraordinary canvases. Born in Limoges, France, Renoir began his career as an apprentice to a painter of porcelain wares then moved to Paris at the age of 21 enrolling at the prestigious École des Beaux Arts. It was here, while studying under Charles Gleyre, that Renoir attained a tremendous appreciation for the academic style of painting, a quality that would last throughout his career. This was also a time in which he met Claude Monet and several other classmates who would later establish the French Impressionist group.

Working closely with Monet, Renoir began experimenting with the portrayal of light and its effect on his canvases. The youngest member of the Impressionist movement, an astute Renoir recognized how a subject was constantly changing due to the dynamic effects of light on color. Capturing a particular moment in time, or an "impression," rather than a subjective scene, was central to the group's philosophy, which became the most important artistic phenomenon of the 19th century.

Relying heavily upon his academic training that focused upon composition, lines and descriptive details, Renoir distinguished himself among his contemporaries. His intuitive use of color and expansive brushstroke, along with an acute attention to his subject, have placed him among the finest painters in history.