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An artist's legacy

Great-grandson pays homage to a past master

Mary Voelz Chandler

Published May 24, 2006 at midnight

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Pierre-Auguste Renoir was one of the early impressionists whose paintings lit up Europe. But Alexandre Renoir? Some of his landscapes are on view at Gallery M, along with a series of pieces that "reconstruct" his great-grandfather's famous work "The Luncheon of the Boating Party." Art writer Mary Voelz Chandler talked to him about the pros and cons of having a famous name.

How are we to judge these works, especially the lithographs of figures that borrow from one of your great-grandfather's most well-regarded works?

It is an homage to him. There is so much history to that piece. When I first took it apart, each aspect had its own energy. I chose lithography because (the original) was not done that way. It's my interpretation of the painting, in a different medium, done by hand.

Does it help, or hurt, to have a name that is instantly recognizable, and be following in the field of the person who made the name famous?

It has done both. The name will open a door for you, but if you don't live up to expectations, the door will close really hard. I'm here to do my art. There will be people who don't like what I do, but I'm not here to impress or influence anyone. I love the art and the tranquility that comes over me. If you like it, it warms my heart. If you don't, OK. I don't want to live to be a descendant. I know people who are professional descendants.

You grew up in a family of artists, both on canvas and in film. What tipped you into painting?

I had various jobs. A gold and silversmith, a lapidary. I worked in theater, and a little bit of radio and commercial graphics. No matter what I did, I would come home and draw, and think, 'What am I going to do with my life?' Five years ago, I got serious. When I showed my brother my sketches, it was as if a shining door had opened.



Meet the artist

• Who: Alexandre Renoir

• Age: 32

• Born: Cagnes Sur Mer, France; moved with family to Canada at age 4

• Residences: La Jolla, Calif., and Edmonton, Alberta

• Education: Victoria School for the Arts

• Other Renoirs: Besides great-grandfather Pierre-Auguste Renoir, director Jean Renoir, actor Pierre Renoir, cinematographer Claude Renoir Jr. and actress Sophie Renoir

Renoir & The Impressionists

• What: Paintings and lithographs by Alexandre Renoir, as well as works on paper by artists including Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edouard Manet, Camille Pissarro and Mary Cassatt

• Where and when: Gallery M, 2830 E. 3rd Ave.; through May 31

• Information: 303-331-8400;



or 303-892-2677.