What did Renoir have to do with his paintbrush to be able to paint when he got older?

Answer 1

Around 1898, if not before, Renoir suffered his first severe attack of rheumatoid arthritis. It forced him to spend the winter months in the south of France, in Provence, and to seek medical treatment in the summer months. During the next several years, he experienced bouts of illness and bouts of improved health. It was not long though before the rheumatoid Arthritis became excruciatingly painful and gave him more trouble. His joints became deformed and his skin dried up.

In 1904, Renoir weighed only 105 pounds and was barely able to sit. By 1910 he could not even walk using crutches and became a prisoner in his wheelchair. His hands were completely deformed, like claws of a bird. A gauze bandage was used to prevent his fingernails from growing into the flesh. Renoir was unable to pick up a paintbrush at this point and it had to be wedged between his fingers. He continued to paint everyday unless an attack of arthritis forced him to lie on his bed where a wire construction protected his body from being touched by his bedclothes.

This info is from arthritis.about.com/od/art/a/renoir.htm