Do you know who he is?
His jumps, extended spins, and remarkable control over his body make every movement mesmerizing. His technique is truly impressive.
1871: Renoir was placed before a firing squad.
He was going to die. For treason.
Why?
He was just 30 years old.
It was during the Paris Commune in 1871.
Renoir was painting along the Seine, but the National Guard wasn't in the mood for art.
They accused him of mapping out the river's fortifications.
A crowd gathered, shouting, "Drown the traitor in the river!"
They dragged him to the town hall to be executed.
Luckily, he had friends: an acquaintance at the town hall spotted him, embraced him, and convinced the soldiers he was just an artist.
Saved right before the firing squad could end his life.