Paul Durand-Ruel redefined the role of the art dealer. An exceptional entrepreneur and precursor of the international art market scene, he established a network of galleries between Paris, London, Brussels, and New York, and organized international traveling exhibitions. The first to recognize the talent of the Barbizon School artists and the Impressionists, and confident in his role championing their art, Paul Durand-Ruel was able to establish the careers of ground-breaking artists including Renoir, Monet, Sisley, Berthe Morisot, and Mary Cassatt.
 
Paul Durand-Ruel: Memoirs of the First Impressionist Art Dealer (1831-1922) is a unique and indispensible reference work for those who wish to understand the artistic life and the art market of the nineteenth century. It is a testament to Durand-Ruel’s passion—as a friend and patron of the artists—the promoting the Barbizon School and, later, Impressionism. Retracing his life from 1831 to 1922, the book features more than sixty illustrations including archival documents and reproduction of works of art, a selection of articles and letters, a list of the principal exhibitions and artworks he displayed, as well as a biographical timeline and family tree.

Paul-Louis Durand-Ruel is the great-great-grandson and Flavie Durand-Ruel is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Paul Durand-Ruel.