Why did Pierre-Auguste Renoir begin to question Impressionist painting in the 1880s?

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Pierre-Auguste Renoir Self-portrait by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, oil on canvas, 1910; in the Archives Denyse Durand-Ruel, Rueil-Malmaison, France.

In the early 1880s, Pierre-Auguste Renoir began to question Impressionism after concluding that its systematic technique was insufficient for his artistic goals. Specifically, he felt that the movement's signature small, contrasting brushstrokes failed to capture the "satiny" quality of human skin.1

His shift in perspective was driven by several key experiences:

Travel and Discovery: Trips to Italy and Algeria exposed him to the Classicism of Raphael, leading him to value clear lines, defined forms, and smooth painting techniques over ephemeral effects.1
Technical Re-evaluation: He began to appreciate the intensity that the color black could provide, contradicting the Impressionist tendency to avoid it.1
Theoretical Influence: Reading Cennino Cennini’s A Treatise on Painting reinforced his desire to prioritize structure and volume.1

This period, often called his "harsh" or "Ingres" period, saw Renoir emphasize contours and form until he eventually sought a balance between these classical disciplines and his earlier, instinctive approach to color.1