At the Theatre (La Première Sortie)
Pierre-Auguste Renoir · 1876
Why it's great
A young girl at the theater sits in a box, leaning forward, absorbed by the show, in a pale dress. Renoir painted the girl's first time at the theater, and her eyes are alight with excitement. The soft colors and gentle brushstrokes give it a lovely glow. It's a happy moment.
Where to see it
📍 National GalleryLondon, United Kingdom
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Pierre-Auguste Renoir was born in Limoges, France, and started his working life painting designs on porcelain. In Paris he became a founding Impressionist, famous for glowing scenes of friends, dancing, and sunshine. Later in life he lived in the warm south of France, and he kept painting even when arthritis twisted his hands, with a brush strapped to his fingers. He left thousands of cheerful paintings.
