Who, Exactly, Were All Those Girls in Renoir’s Paintings?

Catherine Ostler | Literary Hub | 17th July 2026

The book from which this article is drawn tells the life story of two Jewish sisters featured in a famous Renoir painting. Commissioned by a patron, the painting shows the “elegance, comfort and prosperity” of wealthy Parisians. Tragic events in WW2 now make the work seem a “lie”. Critics of Renoir say he only ever painted feel-good images. Defenders will protest that Renoir cannot possibly  be blamed for later events. And flattering paintings – is that such a sin?