Original Renoir bought by Guernsey artists to go on display

An original Renoir painting will 'come home' to Guernsey, thanks to a group of local artists and collectors.

Rochers de Guernesey avec personnages (plage à Guernesey) was painted in 1883, when Pierre-Auguste Renoir visited the island. The oil-on-canvas painting by the French master was bought at an auction for £443,000 in February. The new owners are Art for Guernsey, a syndication of local artists and collectors.

Renoir created a collection of 15 Guernsey landscapes during his month-long stay, the majority depicting views of Moulin Huet.

Rochers de Guernesey avec personnages (plage à Guernesey) is widely considered to be one of the best pieces from that time.

Five paintings are owned by private collectors and ten feature in major museum collections, which include the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the National Gallery in London and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.

This painting will go on public display during a 'trailblazing exhibition' at Beau Sejour from 28 September - 6 October.

Art for Guernsey say the exhibition will 'create an opportunity for all Bailiwick schools to engage directly with the artwork and will kick- start an ‘Art in School’ season that will allow students to respond to Renoir’s art through their curriculum'.