Among the curatorial subjects presented in this exhibition, the portraits and nudes stand out. In the series of huge outdoor bathers, the artist avoids all references to modern life. The bodies are monumental, almost out of proportion, with close resemblances to Michelangelo's and Rubens'. These timeless women, totally idealized, are far from the standards proclaimed by Impressionism. They have volumetric shapes, color and sensuality. The heads seem smaller in relation to the body and the limbs, specially the feet, are masculine in size. Once again a reference to Michelangelo, because the Renaissance artist was known for using male models for all his works and Renoir is true to that image.

Eurydice, by Pierre- Auguste Renoir (1898)

Technique: oil on canvas /Measures: 89 x 116 cm

The painting "Eurydice" has an interesting story, as retold by Tomás Llorens in an article in the Spanish newspaper El País. As it happens, Picasso bought it around 1920, not as a collector of Renoir's art, but because he used to buy pieces that would later be useful for his own artistic purposes. The bathers would help create his own bathers. Watching Eurídice, we can not help but remember Picasso's nudes in the 1920s. The Spanish artist also admired the old master's maternities and children portraits. Renoir was Picasso's source in his Classicist period but, although he much admired him and had many of his artworks, he never agreed to meet him personally.

Bather, by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 97.1 x 73 cm

The braid, by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Towards1886 – 1887)

Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 57 x 47 cm

The exhibition displays many artworks with young women alone, sitting or concentrated in their chores, always very intimate.

Portrait of Monet's wife, by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (towards 1872 – 1874)

Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 53 x 71.7 cm

Although there are many other paintings, more than 70, borrowed from museums and collectors throughout the world, the ones unknown to visitors in general are the most interesting and intimate. The use of volume and mater to create such intimacy is what links the people with the artwork.

Unfortunately, photography was forbidden inside the museum, so the images posted here were taken from the web. However, the free brochure gives thorough information on each curatorial subject and the artworks on display.

Keep reading... "Picasso, Renoir y la vulgaridad", by Tomás Llorens, El País, Saturday December 3rd, 2016.