In a career spanning 60 years and thousands of paintings, Auguste Renoir ensured that his art communicated a sense of happiness and contentment. Through his sense of colour, he transformed the world in which he lived into art. This book brings the reader closer to Renoir the man, exploring his life, his times and his art. Letters, extracts from journals and newspapers and colour illustrations of his masterpieces combine to make this a comprehensive and lively introduction to the artist.