# The Daughters of Catulle Mendès, Huguette (1871–1964), Claudine (1876–1937), and Helyonne (1879–1955)

**Pierre-Auguste Renoir** (French, 1841–1919)  
1888  
Oil on canvas  
63 3/4 x 51 1/8 in. (161.9 x 129.9 cm)

Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1998.325.3. [The museum's record](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/438014).

## About this work

The three daughters of the poet Catulle Mendès and the composer Augusta Holmès gather around a piano, one seated at the keyboard, one holding a violin and the youngest leaning in. Renoir painted this large group portrait in 1888, when he had adopted a firmer, more linear manner, and the brilliant colours, crisp contours and decorative patterning reflect that change. The family’s love of music is the theme, and the girls are presented as performers in a domestic concert.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted this in 1888, aged 47. It is now at The Met in New York.

### How it was made

- **Oil paint.** Pigment ground in a drying oil, usually linseed. It dries slowly, so painters could blend on the canvas, build up thin translucent glazes, and rework a picture over weeks. Canvas replaced wooden panels in the 1500s because it is lighter and can be rolled.

### [Pierre-Auguste Renoir](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/pierre-auguste-renoir)

French, 1841–1919; born in Limoges; died in Cagnes-sur-Mer

Renoir began as a painter of porcelain in Paris, then studied in Gleyre’s studio, where he met Monet, Sisley and Bazille. In the 1870s he was a central figure of Impressionism, painting Parisians at leisure in dappled light. A journey to Italy in 1881–82 led him towards firmer drawing and more classical compositions. Despite severe rheumatoid arthritis in later life he continued to paint, settling at Cagnes-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean, where he died.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

## Facts

- Type: Paintings
- The artist was 47
- Real size: about 64 × 51 in (162 × 130 cm). The original is larger than our largest print, 20 × 30 in, so every print is a reduction.
- Century: 19th century
- Movement: [Impressionism](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/impressionism)
- Subjects: Girls, Portraits, Music, Pianos, Violins
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1178.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1178/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-daughters-of-catulle-mendes-huguette-1871-1964-claudine-met-438014).