Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Bather by a Fountain, 1914, Sannō Museum of Art
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February 26, 2026
Must-see art exhibitions in 2026: Part 1. Masterpieces and notable works, from Renoir to contemporary artists, gathered in one place.
ART | Must-See Art Exhibitions in 2026
2026 promises another year brimming with art exhibitions, both old and new. For our first installment, OPENERS highlights exhibitions dedicated to Monet, who marks 100 years since his passing, and Renoir, celebrating his 185th birthday. We also look at the Young British Artists (YBA) movement that flourished in the UK in the 1990s—a period worth revisiting. Beyond the art itself, we'll explore the diverse facets of art through related merchandise and special menu offerings.
Text by YANAKA Tomomi
A Journey into Renoir's World of Light, Color, and Joy
— "Renoir: Celebrating 185 Years" at the Sannoh Museum of Art
"Perhaps Renoir is the only great painter who never painted a sad picture." So wrote the French novelist Octave Mirbeau in 1913, in a collection of works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919). Renoir's paintings are indeed characterized by a warm, affectionate gaze.
The exhibition "Renoir: Celebrating 185 Years" will be held at the Sannoh Museum of Art in Osaka from Sunday, March 1, 2026, to Friday, July 31, 2026.
The exhibition features approximately 50 works from the Sannoh Museum's collection. Among them, "Bather by a Fountain" (1914) represents Renoir's exploration of the traditional theme of the nude in nature, culminating in a vibrant new expression of life.
The exhibition also showcases a wide range of still lifes, including roses and anemones, as well as nudes and decorative paintings. Divided into five sections, the exhibition traces Renoir's artistic journey spanning over 50 years, from his Impressionist portraits of women, through his engagement with classical styles after feeling the limitations of Impressionism, his period of exploring the traditional theme of the nude in nature in the South of France, to his later works characterized by rich, abundant colors.
Renoir is said to have stated in his later years, "In a life full of unpleasantness, painting must be something lovable, something joyful and beautiful." We invite you to immerse yourself in Renoir's world, brimming with light, color, and the joy of life.
