The Morgan Library & Museum is preparing to showcase a groundbreaking exhibition featuring Pierre-Auguste Renoir's rarely seen drawings, marking the first time in over a century that a New York institution has dedicated an entire show to the Impressionist master's works on paper. Opening October 17, 2025, "Renoir Drawings" will present more than 100 pieces including pastels, watercolors, prints, and even a plaster sculpture, offering visitors an unprecedented look beyond Renoir's famous sun-dappled oil paintings.
"Renoir's drawings reveal an artist of tremendous sensitivity and range," said Colin B. Bailey, the Morgan's director and curator of the exhibition. The comprehensive show spans the artist's entire career, from academic figure studies created during his student years to spontaneous sketches capturing city life, intimate portraits of his wife and children, and preparatory studies for his most ambitious canvases.
This landmark exhibition represents a collaboration with the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, where the show will travel next summer. The last comparable exhibition focusing specifically on Renoir's drawings took place in Paris in 1921, making the Morgan's presentation a significant art world event that fills a century-long gap in scholarship and public appreciation of this aspect of Renoir's work.
Among the exhibition's highlights is the Morgan's own large-scale sketch for "The Great Bathers" (1886-87), which the museum acquired in 2018. This preparatory work will be displayed alongside the finished painting, on loan from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, plus seven other related drawings, providing visitors with a comprehensive view of Renoir's creative process. Similarly, "Dance in the Country" (1883) will be presented with its complete suite of preparatory works, demonstrating Renoir's methodical approach of examining a subject from multiple angles before committing to the final canvas.
The exhibition also explores Renoir's commercial work, including his illustrations for Émile Zola's novel "L'Assommoir" and contributions to the periodical "La Vie moderne." These works highlight how the artist adapted his distinctive style to the demands of print media, showcasing his versatility across different formats and audiences.
In a particularly moving section, visitors will encounter "The Judgment of Paris" (1914), a plaster sculpture created in collaboration with Richard Guino. This piece was made after arthritis had severely limited Renoir's hand mobility, demonstrating his determination to continue creating art despite physical challenges. The work serves as a testament to the artist's resilience and adaptability in his later years.
To complement the exhibition, the Morgan has planned an extensive programming schedule including concerts, educational talks, and hands-on watercolor workshops. These events are designed to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of Renoir's techniques and the historical context of his work on paper.
"Renoir Drawings" will run from October 17, 2025, through February 8, 2026, at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. The exhibition promises to offer both art enthusiasts and casual visitors a rare opportunity to appreciate an often-overlooked aspect of one of Impressionism's most beloved masters.
