Pierre Auguste Renoir was born in France. He was one of the founders and leading exponents of IMPRESSIONISM from the late 1860s, producing some of the movement most famous images of carefree leisure.In 1862 Renoir entered the studio of Gleyre and there formed a lasting friendship with Monet, Sisley, and Bazille He broke with his Impressionist colleagues to exhibit at the Salon from 1878, and from 1884 he painted in a more linear style indebted to the Old Masters. His critical reputation has suffered from the many minor works he produced during his later years.