Did you know that Renoir battled with rheumatoid arthritis for the last 30 years of his life?

By the last ten years of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s life he could not use crutches and needed a wheelchair. He had excruiating pain and near the end of his life had to be carried to his easel.  When he lost the use of his fingers a paintbrush would be bandaged to his hand and he continued to paint despite his devastating illness.

La Promenade by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1906

There’s a great article here which tells you more about his struggle with rheumatoid arthritis through the last 3 decades of his life http://arthritis.about.com/od/art/a/renoir.htm

Madame Renoir and Bob by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1910

 The following is an extract from that article:

“One must from time to time attempt things that are beyond one’s capacity.” ~ Pierre-Auguste Renoir

There were episodes when Renoir was completely paralyzed. He would allow the attack to subside, then continue where he left off at his easel. Renoir had an easel where each canvas could be rolled up like a woven product in a loom. Therefore he could cope with larger formats even though he had to sit in his wheelchair and could only move his arm in short, sudden motions to thrust the paintbrush forward.

Read the original article

And another extract:

“The pain passes, but the beauty remains.” ~ Pierre-Auguste Renoir

It has been said that although Renoir was old, sick, and decrepit there was never any despair or weariness in his art. He never allowed it to be invaded by feelings of envy or anger towards those in good health. The hundreds of works he produced during the last few years of his life were an ode to happiness and joy.

Read the original article

Laundresses by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1912

 All the paintings shown here were painted by Renoir when he had rheumatoid arthritis.

“For me a picture has to be something pleasant, delightful, and pretty – yes, pretty. There are enough unpleasant things in the world without us producing even more.” ~ Pierre-Auguste Renoir