On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Impressionist movement, a selection of masterpieces traces the life and work of the two masters of 19th and 20th century art

This book delves into the lives and works of two painters instrumental in shaping the Impressionist movement, Paul Cézanne and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, who went on to leave an indelible mark on the artists who came after them. Each developing their own particular style - Cézanne with an emphasis on rigour and geometry, Renoir a focus on harmony and softness - the two masters were pivotal figures of their time, from the last quarter of the nineteenth century into the early twentieth, from the inception of Impressionism to its peak.

The two painters met in Paris in the 1860s and forged a lasting friendship based on mutual admiration, exploring questions about their art and cultivating shared interests in genres ranging from still life to landscape, portrait, and the nude. This book showcases masterpieces collected by art dealer Paul Guillaume, who recognized Cézanne and Renoir as pioneers of a style that was both classical and modern. After Guillaume passed away, his widow Domenica Walter continued to build the collection, which is today housed at the prestigious Musée de l'Orangerie and Musée d'Orsay in Paris.