PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR | Nature morte au melon

Ambroise Vollard, Paris (acquired directly from the artist by 1919)
Philippe Bemberg, Paris & Lausanne
Thence by descent to the present owner

Ambroise Vollard, Tableaux, Pastels et Dessins de Pierre Auguste Renoir, Paris, 1918, vol. II, n.n., illustrated p. 158
Ambroise Vollard, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paintings, Pastels and Drawings, Tableaux, Pastels et Dessins, San Francisco, 1989, no. 1588, illustrated p. 326

The canvas is not lined. There are two tiny pinholes, one to the left part of the lower edge and another approx. 4 cm from lower edge and 14 cm from left edge. Examination under UV light reveals no evidence of retouching. There are a few scattered fly spots towards the centre of the left edge.There are a few thin lines of stable craquelure, most predominately towards the centre of left, right and lower edges. There is some light frame rubbing along the extreme edges with a tiny paint loss to the centre of the right edge. Colours are fresh and impasto is well preserved. This work is in overall very good condition.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

'I think of Renoir as a great painter of fruit. It always seems like the journey through the sensuous orchard of the aesthetic sound in Renoir. His flesh is eatable — and his vistas and still lifes so strokable.' (Bruce Weber, The Heart of the Matter, The Still Lifes of Marsden Hartley, exhibition catalogue., Berry Hill Galleries, New York, 2003, p. 15).



This work will be included in the forthcoming Renoir Digital Catalogue raisonné, currently being prepared under the sponsorship of the Wildenstein Plattner Institute, Inc. The authenticity of this work has kindly been confirmed by Guy-Patrice Dauberville and Floriane Dauberville.