Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Ambroise Vollard, Paris
O'Hana Gallery, London
Collection Larcade (acquired from the above)
Acquired by the previous owner in the 1980s

Ambroise Vollard, Tableaux, Pastels et Dessins de Pierre-Auguste Renoir, San Francisco, 1989, no. 561, illustrated p. 141

The canvas is not lined. There is a thick layer of varnish through which the UV light cannot fully penetrate. There is a 1cm. long horizontal repaired tear towards the upper left corner with some associated retouchings visible under UV light. There are some fine lines of craquelure in places which appear to be entirely stable, otherwise this work is in overall good condition. Colours: overall fairly accurate in the printed catalogue.
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Renoir painted this tranquil scene of an elegant young woman at a fountain at the height of the official Impressionist movement (1874-96). Painted in 1885, this composition capitalises on the lavish effects of Renoir's pastel-toned palette, comprised of soft pinks, blues and greens. By this point in his career, Renoir had made a solid and respectable reputation for himself among members of the upper class, who were readily buying his paintings. In this particular oil, the plein-air subject matter, along with the model's fashionable attire, appealed directly to the sophisticated tastes of Renoir's patrons. As one of the founding members of the Impressionists, Renoir was an expert at exploring the subtle nuances of colour and light. This picture, created at the very peak of the movement, is indeed a testament to his talents.

Ambroise Vollard (1866-1939) was one of the most important dealers of modern European art during the first half of the 20th century, and he was well-known for his perspicacious eye and discerning taste. Along with being a great supporter of Renoir's work, he was also a key promoter of the paintings of Cézanne, Van Gogh and Gauguin. The present picture was one of the select works that was once part of Vollard's impressive collection.