Le Petit Garcon au Porte-Plume - Portrait de Claude Renoir Ecrivant. Portrait of Claude Renoir Writing - Little Boy with a Pen. by Pierre Auguste Renoir, 1841-1919

Pierre Auguste Renoir, 1841-1919
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Le Petit Garcon au Porte-Plume - Portrait de Claude Renoir Ecrivant. Portrait of Claude Renoir Writing - Little Boy with a Pen.

Original lithograph in black ink. c. 1902/3. From the edition of c.50 impressions only. (No impressions were signed). Drawn on special transfer paper by Renoir from life at his own studio. Printed at the studio of Clot, Paris c.1904. Edition never issued at the period. Rare.
Ref: Stella - Renoir Graphic Work no 55. Delteil 55.

Very fine strong impression. On cream laid Ingres d'Arches MBM paper. Generally excellent condition. Slightest traces of time toning of the sheet on the reverse, and one thin spot in the outer right margin, 3 ins clear of the image. Wide margins. Sheet: 18 1/2 x 24 1/4ins. Image: 11 3/4 x 15 3/4ins (298x398mm).

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?Claude Renoir Writing? is one of the most pleasing studies in lithography that Renoir made of his eldest son Claude. Probably drawn about 1900, although the exact date is not known, Renoir drew the image from life working on transfer paper in his own studio. The image was then put on the lithographic stone at Clot?s studio where the edition was pulled. From the notes that were prepared when Clot?s estate was audited after his death the edition was about 50 impressions only, and it is certainly now amongst the scarcest of Renoir?s large scale monochrome lithographs.

The drawing of this study of Claude is typical of Renoir?s work at the end of the 1890?s. The concentration is on capturing effects of light and atmosphere, with the contours softened and blended into their surrounding shadows. Renoir liked making lithographs using transfer paper as it allowed him the maximum freedom of working; whilst his way of using lithographic chalk also suited this technique making emphasis on tone rather than on clear line.

Over 30 years we have only seen very few examples of this lithograph.