365 Days of Art: August 26 – Renoir Is Drafted Into the Army

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Luncheon of the Boating Party

August 26, 1870

Pierre-Auguste Renoir is drafted into the 10th Cavalry Regiment of the French Army. Several other of his Impressionist peers, including Monet, also serve in the Army because they are too poor to buy themselves an exemption. In fact, Monet credits his time in the Army looking at different landscapes as invaluable training for his painter’s eye.