Another Renoir Creating Quite the Impression
July 17, 2008 - Rita Rosen Poley, Jewish Exponent Feature
It is not often that one associates great art with the New Jersey shore, but it seems that Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor is the place "down the shore" to see art of the French Impressionists: "Journey Through Impressionism" is a recent exhibition of almost 80 original works, lithographs, etchings, oils, bronzes and drypoint prints by the likes of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, James Whistler and other famous master Impressionists.
In addition, the great-grandson of Renoir -- Alexandre Renoir -- was on hand in Stone Harbor at a number of special gallery receptions to offer his insight on the significance of the artwork. This present-day Renoir is also a painter and proved the point by creating a painting on-site while visiting the gallery.
Said the artist: "My style is somewhat impressionistic. I use a palette knife, so it is as if I sculpt in paint."
Why was his work for sale in a gallery as opposed to being sold at auction, which is more readily associated with works by the master Impressionists, such as his great-grandfather? "Auctions are too impersonal. I like to meet people, and be able to tell them wonderful stories of this art and these artists.
"Maybe one day, I will write a book," he continued, "but I like to be unscripted. The same question can be asked of me a million times, but the person who asks it for the first time deserves a spontaneous answer. I try to be fresh, new and exciting each time."
Tell Me a Story!
I could not resist asking the "storyteller" for some art stories.
Concerning Albert Barnes: "In 1923, Duncan Phillips purchased the large painting, 'Luncheon of the Boating Party,' for his Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. Albert Barnes, who had amassed a large collection of paintings by my great-grandfather, journeyed to D.C. to see the great painting and is purported to have said to Phillips, 'So, you got yourself a Renoir! Is this the only one you have?' Phillips replied, 'It's the only one I need.' "
How about the large group portraits Pierre-Auguste Renoir had painted when he was young?
"When he was just starting out, in order to get work, my great-grandfather would go door-to-door to try to get portrait commissions," he explained. "If a family agreed, he would start with a portrait painting of one of the family, but he would try to end up with many commissions from the same family. For example, first he would paint the daughter, then the daughter and her dog, and then the daughter with her siblings, and so on!"
Surprisingly, in spite of his French accent, this Renoir was raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where his family moved, for economic opportunities, from the south of France when he was a child.
"My father wanted to move to the 'Wild, Wild West.' As for my accent, I am the youngest of four brothers, and we all spoke French at home. Today, in one way or another, we are all involved in the world of fine art."
For more information about Ocean Galleries, visit: www. oceangalleries.com.
