In the fall of 2017, I audited a class on 19th century European painting which was largely a class about French artists. I also recently saw a wonderful exhibit on Renoir at the Phillips Collection in DC. So, you can imagine how eagerly I looked forward to reading this biography. Renoir’s Dancer absolutely did not disappoint. Renoir’s Dancer was Suzanne Valadon, a fascinating woman who was an artist’s model and artist in her own right. She was a woman who reinvented herself and evolved from Marie-Clementine to Maria to eventually Suzanne.
The author’s writing style is fluid and engaging and the pages kept turning. The book starts with the lives of Suzanne’s parents which were fascinating in themselves. Suzanne’s early experiences and temperament set the stage for the young adult and adult she would become. While reading Renoir’s Dancer, I revisited or learned even more about French history and artists. Such a pleasure to spend time in their company. If you read only one biography this year, make it this one!
#Renoir’sDancer #NetGalley
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 