Description:An intimate portrait of his second son, Jean Renoir (1894 – 1979) , evokes a childlike sentiment and love that Renoir had for his children. Most likely no more than age 3, Jean is shown here with a cookie, beneath a frilly bonnet characteristic of late 19th century French society. His pink, rosy cheeks are defined with rich, glowing hues that contrast from the pale yellow and grey background in which he rests. Jean was also featured in a family portrait of the Renoirs, titled La Famille de l’Artiste (1896) .
Created in c. 1898-9, this work comes from the rare, unsigned trial proof (aside from an edition of 100) in five colors: black, gray, green, rose, and yellow. Printed on laid paper by August Clot, he is thought to have added the blue to the eyes and the white to the face and background, making this print considerably rare.
Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
It is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the final sale of the work) :
1. Delteil, Loys. Pierre-Auguste Renoir, l’œuvre grave et lithographié, Catalogue Raisonné, Alan Hyman (ed.) Alan Wofsy Fine Arts: San Francisco, 1999. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 31 on pgs. 66-69.
2. Roger-Marx, Claude. Graphic Art: The 19th Century, McGraw-Hill: New York, 1962. Detailed and illustrated on pgs. 198-9.
3. Roger-Marx, Claude. Les Lithographies de Renoir, André Sauret: Monte-Carlo. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 6 on pgs. 36-7.
4. Stella, Joseph G. The Graphic Work of Renoir, Lund Humphries: London. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné no. 31.
About the Framing:
This work is set in a beautiful, Victorian gold moulding that gracefully complements this marvelous work. Its intricately carved detailing serves to accent Renoir’s ornate composition, echoing the movement and fluidity of the child within this scene. Completed with white, linen-wrapped mats and a matching, gold inner fillet, this work is set behind a Plexiglas® cover; all materials used in framing are archival to ensure lasting quality.
