Bal du moulin de la Galette
Pierre-Auguste Renoir · 1876
Why it's great
On a sunny Sunday in Montmartre, Parisians dance and chat under trees dappled with light. Renoir painted it on the spot with his friends as models, capturing the happiness of an ordinary afternoon. The flickering spots of sunlight on clothing are a hallmark of Impressionism. It's famous for making you feel as if you've joined the party, and it's one of the most valuable paintings ever sold.
Where to see it
📍 Musée d'OrsayParis, France
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
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.
