Renoir's First Love Was For Singing, Not Painting

One of the most interesting and key facts about Pierre-Auguste Renoir and his art is that Renoir's first love, rather than painting, was singing.Renoir had a special ability for singing as a child. His professors took notice and connected the young Renoir to the then-unknown composer Charles Gounod in order to ensure that his gift did not go to waste. (Gounod would go on to compose Ave Maria, which brought him international renown, as well as several other popular operas.)

Gounod was the choirmaster for the renowned Saint Eustache church boy's choir at the time. Renoir quickly won the composer's affection and was given a place in his choir as well as private singing lessons; later, Gounod offered to provide Renoir with a thorough musical education as well as assist him in obtaining a paid position in the opera's chorus.

The offer, however, was still too expensive for Renoir's family, and Renoir had "a sensation that he wasn't made for that sort of thing," as Jean Renoir writes in her father's biography (meaning life as a performer).