Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Alfred Sisley, Moret-sur-Loing (acquired from the artist)

Mrs. Fernand Diets (née Jeanne Sisley), Paris (by descent from the above)

Henry Lapauze, Paris

Mrs. Charles Pomaret, Nice (from 1934 until at least 1960)

Mrs. Henry Woods, Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago (acquired as a gift from the above in 1991 and sold: November 2, 2005, lot 13)

Acquired at the above sale

Paris, Galerie Bernheim-Jeune, L'atelier de Sisley, 1907, no. 2

Paris, Galerie Georges Petit, Alfred Sisley, 1917, no. B

Paris, Chambre syndicale de la curiosité et des beaux-arts, Oeuvres d'art des XVIIIe, XIXe, XXe siècles, 1923, no. 214

Paris, Galerie Bernheim-Jeune, Cent ans de portraits français, 1934, no. 59

Paris, Galerie Bernheim-Jeune, Renoir portraitiste, 1938, no. 11

Nice, Palais de la Méditerranée, Peintres à Nice et sur la Côte d'Azur, 1960, no. 115

Francois Daulte, Auguste Renoir, Catalogue Raisonné de l'oeuvre peint, vol. I, Lausanne, 1971, no. 134, illustrated

Colin B. Bailey, Renoir's Portraits: Impressions of an Age (exhibition catalogue), National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; The Art Institute of Chicago; Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, 1997-98, fig. 170, illustrated p. 291

Very good condition. The canvas is lined. Under ultra-violet light, there are four small fluorescent dots in the chin.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

 While Renoir was living in Louveciennes, he often took the opportunity to paint members of Alfred Sisley's family who lived there as well.   The present canvas, dating from 1875, depicts Sisley's daughter, Jeanne-Adèle (1869-1919), at the age of 6.  Renoir also completed a smaller portrait of Sisley's son, Pierre (Daulte 133) which presents a more intimate view of the little boy's face. But for this picture of Jeanne-Adèle, he rendered her in a three-quarter view and placed greater emphasis on her face, hair style, and charming demeanor.

 

This picture was created at the height of Renoir's involvement with the Impressionist group in the mid-1870s, and exemplifies the charm and sophistication of the artist's portraiture from this era.  Renoir's portraits, especially those of children, helped to establish his reputation as the premier portrait painter among the Impressionists, and would earn him numerous commissions from the upper echelons of Parisian society in the decades to come.