Acrobats at the Cirque Fernando (Francisca and Angelina Wartenberg)

One of four permanent circuses in Paris, the Cirque Fernando opened in Montmartre in 1875, attracting an enthusiastic following that included members of the Impressionist circle. Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s painting features Francisca Wartenberg (left) and her sister, Angelina (right), members of an itinerant German acrobatic troupe. Ages seventeen and fourteen, respectively, the girls take their bows after a performance, gathering up the tissue-wrapped oranges tossed to them as tributes by members of the audience. Acrobats at the Cirque Fernando marked Renoir's return to the Impressionist fold. After withholding his works from the Impressionist exhibitions since the third exhibition of 1877, Renoir submitted 27 works to the seventh exhibition. Renoir presents here a sentimental anecdote as well as a subject from modern life. Happy Saturday and don't forget to come back tomorrow, we will have something special for you :)