Auguste Renoir

Born into a poor family, Auguste Renoir took his first job at 13 as a porcelain painter's apprentice, earning small change for each plate and vase he decorated. At 20, he quit work to begin formal art studies and soon struck up his life-long friendship with Monet. At 40, he fell in love with Aline Charigot, a 19-year-old seamstress and one of his models. Renoir became a wise and loving father to their three sons. In spite of crippling arthritis, he hardly let a day go by without painting.