Renoir and Cézanne: A Dialogue in Milan

Palazzo Reale in Milan is hosting a major exhibition celebrating the 150th anniversary of Impressionism, juxtaposing the works of Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Cézanne. The show, curated with loans from the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, explores the friendship and artistic divergence of the two masters. Renoir, born in Limoges in 1841, is known for his sensual, joyful depictions of women and nature, while Cézanne (Aix-en-Provence, 1839–1906) sought geometric simplification and structural essence. The exhibition is structured thematically, featuring family portraits, landscapes, bathers, and still lifes. It highlights their contrasting approaches: Renoir's soft, fluid brushstrokes versus Cézanne's angular, pasty application. The show also includes reconstructions of their studios and a final section linking Cézanne to Cubism via Picasso. The catalogue is published by Skira.