The Genius of Renoir

This book coincides with an exhibition at the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid. In his introductory essay, James A. Ganz (curator, Achenbach Fdn. for Graphic Arts, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco) charts art collector Sterling Clark's collecting history. Beginning his collection with old master paintings and drawings, Clark transferred his interests to the French impressionists and late-19th century academic genre painting. In 1916, Clark purchased his first Renoir for a collection that would include some of the artist's finest paintings. From 1930 to 1940, Clark acquired 20 high-quality pictures by the artist, believing that Renoir was a continuation of the art of the old masters. He had also always planned to create a museum and educational institution, which was partially opened in 1955 in Williamstown, MA. The Sterling and Francine Clark Institute unveiled its impressionist gallery in 1956—the facility still showcases Clark's collections.