One of several mills in Montmartre, the Moulin de la Galette was close to the rue Cortot, where Renoir had taken a studio specifically to paint this scene. Many of the figures in the painting are recognisable as the artist's friends and acquaintances. This painting is considered to be one of the most important works of Renoir for the 1870 period. It was first shown during the Impressionist Exhibit of 1877.