Pierre-Auguste Renoir, another prominent Impressionist painter, also experienced physical challenges later in his life that affected his art, though his situation was different from Claude Monet’s. Renoir suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, a painful and debilitating condition that severely impacted his mobility and dexterity. While this was not a vision problem like Monet’s cataracts, it still influenced his artistic style and techniques in significant ways:

1. Adaptation of Tools: As Renoir’s arthritis worsened, he had difficulty holding traditional paintbrushes. To continue painting, he adapted by using specially designed brushes that could be strapped to his hands. This change in tools likely influenced the texture and fluidity of his brushwork.
2. Simplified Forms: Renoir’s later works often feature softer, more simplified forms, which may have been a result of his physical limitations. His brushstrokes became broader and less precise, leading to a more abstract and expressive style compared to his earlier, more detailed works.
3. Focus on Portraits and Smaller Compositions: Due to the physical strain of working on large canvases, Renoir increasingly focused on smaller-scale works, particularly portraits and intimate scenes. These subjects required less physical exertion and allowed him to continue creating art despite his condition.
4. Assistance from Others: In his later years, Renoir relied on assistants to help him with tasks like preparing canvases and mixing paints. This collaborative process may have introduced new elements into his work, as he incorporated the contributions of others into his creative process.
5. Emotional Resilience: Despite his physical pain, Renoir remained dedicated to his art, and his later works often exude a sense of joy and vitality. His ability to persevere and adapt to his condition is reflected in the warmth and humanity of his paintings.

While Renoir’s arthritis did not affect his color perception or vision like Monet’s cataracts, it did shape his artistic style and techniques in profound ways. Both artists demonstrate how physical challenges can lead to innovation and evolution in an artist’s work, even under difficult circumstances.

“I am just learning how to paint,” Pierre-Auguste Renoir said in 1913 — six years before he died. The French master painted right up to the end of his life; he died in 1919 at age 78.