Durand Ruel Collection
Discover the rich connection between art and commerce in late 19th century Paris through the lens of Pierre-Auguste Renoir and the Durand-Ruel family
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Discover the rich connection between art and commerce in late 19th century Paris through the lens of Pierre-Auguste Renoir and the Durand-Ruel family. In this captivating narrative, we delve into the world of the renowned Galerie Durand-Ruel, located on rue des Petits-Champs, where Paul Durand-Ruel, a visionary art dealer, nurtured the careers of Impressionist masters like Renoir. Our journey begins with a glimpse into the past, as we uncover an engraved pebble from the Durand-Ruel site at Les Rebieres in Dordogne, France, depicting a herbivorous animal and the forequarters of a rhinoceros - a prehistoric hint of the artistic legacy to come. Fast forward to 1866, where we find Paul Durand-Ruel in his gallery, surrounded by artworks, including a striking portrait of himself. His passion for art is evident as he builds a reputation as a trailblazing dealer, supporting artists like Renoir. In 1876, Renoir painted a captivating portrait of Jeanne Durand-Ruel, the dealer's daughter, who graced the halls of the gallery. Her youthful charm is immortalized in the oil on canvas masterpiece, "Jeune fille au chapeau" (Young Girl Hat). As the years pass, the Galerie Durand-Ruel continues to thrive, with Renoir's works becoming increasingly popular. In 1910, Paul Durand-Ruel's portrait, now a distinguished figure in the art world, is captured once more, this time in a photograph in his grand salon at Rue de Rome. The relationship between Renoir and the Durand-Ruel family reaches its zenith in 1920, when the gallery hosts a major exhibition of the artist's works. Anonymous lithographs, like the one depicting Renoir's "Young Girl Hat," commemorate the occasion, leaving a lasting testament to their shared artistic journey.