In 1855, Renoir's father, a modest tailor from Limoges established in Paris since 1845, puts his 14 years old son Auguste at work in a porcelain factory, in the "Rue du Temple" street, where the adolescent boy is initiated with painting on plates.

Throughout these early years, Renoir made frequent visits at lunch time to the Louvre, where he studied the art of former French masters, particularly those of the 18th century Antoine Watteau, François Boucher, and Jean Honoré Fragonard. His deep respect for these artists informed his own painting throughout his career.

Eight years later Renoir had enough money to enter in April 1862 the School of Fine Arts. Parallel to the courses of the School, he also attends the private Workshop of Charles Gleyre where he will become friendly with his school-fellows Alfred Sisley , Frederic Bazille and Claude Monet.