Renoirs

It is still just a steel skeleton, so it takes some imagination to envision the contemporary limestone structure — part museum, part educational center — that will display Albert C. Barnes's 181 Renoirs, 69 C é zannes, 59 Matisses and other masterpieces as early as spring 2012.

The Barnes in a New Light Julia M. Klein 2010

He has spent more than $25 million on his collection, which also includes Renoirs and Matisses.

Blame Game Over a Rare Buffalo Painting Robert Frank 2011

And among the 21 Renoirs is "Marie-Thérèse Durand-Ruel Sewing" (1882), in brilliant, stained-glass colors; a wonderful still life of "Onions" (1881); and "Venice, The Doge's Palace" (1881) shimmering across the Grand Canal.

The Clark Collection's Personal Vision Judy Fayard 2011

Meanwhile, LACMA has been filling the spaces with such things as traveling late Renoirs, which aren't exactly "contemporary."

Nice Wing, Pity About the Art David Littlejohn 2010

Almost immediately, Leo, the family art expert, went out and bought a Gauguin, a Cézanne and two Renoirs.

Souvenirs From Paris David Littlejohn 2011

Perhaps in the midst of the heat wave, when comfort trumps fashion, a desire to gaze upon clothes made of heavy, uncomfortable fabrics, leathers, and metals overtakes museum-goers otherwise content to gaze upon Renoirs and Van Goghs.

Leora Tanenbaum: Wear Comfortable Shoes! Long Lines at Met's McQueen Exhibit Leora Tanenbaum 2011

Perhaps, but the Metropolitan Museum of Art doesn't offer classes that teach patrons how to handle Tintorettos and Renoirs.

Come, Climb a Tree (Just This Once) Jo Piazza 2011

Perhaps in the midst of the heat wave, when comfort trumps fashion, a desire to gaze upon clothes made of heavy, uncomfortable fabrics, leathers, and metals overtakes museum-goers otherwise content to gaze upon Renoirs and Van Goghs.

Leora Tanenbaum: Wear Comfortable Shoes! Long Lines at Met's McQueen Exhibit Leora Tanenbaum 2011

Perhaps in the midst of the heat wave, when comfort trumps fashion, a desire to gaze upon clothes made of heavy, uncomfortable fabrics, leathers, and metals overtakes museum-goers otherwise content to gaze upon Renoirs and Van Goghs.

Leora Tanenbaum: Wear Comfortable Shoes! Long Lines at Met's McQueen Exhibit Leora Tanenbaum 2011

Yet the fat-cat National Gallery is sitting there with more Renoirs and John Singer Sargent canvases than you can shake a stick at.

Trading a Monet for a Solid Southpaw Joe Queenan 2011