What you are looking at
On a Sunday afternoon in Montmartre, young Parisians dance, drink and chat in an open-air garden. Sunlight falls through the trees in patches on their clothes and faces.
Why it is famous
Renoir painted the real dance garden at the Moulin de la Galette and used his friends as models. It is one of the happiest pictures of Impressionism and was shown at the group's third exhibition in 1877.
How big is Bal du moulin de la Galette?
Bal du moulin de la Galette measures 131 × 175 cm (51.6 × 68.9 in), without its frame. Its surface is about 5 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
Compare it with other paintings
Where to see it
It is at the Musée d'Orsay, on the Impressionist gallery floor.
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More by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
All Pierre-Auguste Renoir paintings
Also at the Musée d'Orsay
Frequently asked questions
Who painted Bal du moulin de la Galette?
Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted Bal du moulin de la Galette in 1876.
Where is Bal du moulin de la Galette?
Bal du moulin de la Galette is in the Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France.
How big is Bal du moulin de la Galette?
131 × 175 cm (51.6 × 68.9 in). Its surface is about 5 times the area of the Mona Lisa.
What is Bal du moulin de la Galette made with?
Oil on canvas.
Sources: Wikidata Q683274; Wikipedia, "Bal du moulin de la Galette". Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.