La Pierre au Trois Croquis. Three Studies - Gabrielle et Julie Manet. by Pierre Auguste Renoir, 1841-1919

Pierre Auguste Renoir, 1841-1919
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La Pierre au Trois Croquis. Three Studies - Gabrielle et Julie Manet.

Original lithograph drawn in brush and chalk in black ink. 1904. Signed with the signature in the stone. From the only edition. Edition originally planned as 950 impressions, but approx. 1/3rd of the edition was never issued. Printed at the studio of Clot, Paris c. 1905. First offered for sale by Ambroise Vollard in 1919 in the series: Douze Lithographies Originales de P. Renoir.

Ref: Delteil - Renoir Le Peintre Graveur no 41.

Excellent strong impression. On pale crea wove (vélin) paper. Excellent condition. The full sheet. Image drawn to full sheet size. Sheet: 250x330mm. 9 7/8 x 13ins.

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This study sheet is a beautiful illustration of the wonderful quality of light that Renoir instilled into his lithographs. It was the way that the inherent translucence of lithographic ink, and the freedom of liquid washes or chalk work, could be used to generate light and shadow which most attracted Renoir to the medium of lithography. At this date his whole treatment of form depended on capturing the visual sensation of the interplay of the shadows and highlights over the surface of a figure or a landscape. Except in certain portraits he had virtually discarded definition of contour in favour of creating a pattern of light. The medium of lithography inspired him to new levels in the evocation of light in his monochrome drawing.

‘Trois Croquis’ is one of the outstanding prints in the series of 12 lithographs which Renoir drew for Ambroise Vollard. It includes studies of Gabrielle and also of Julie Manet (the daughter of Renoir’s great friend the painter Berthe Morisot) who was one of Renoir’s favourite young models in the years around the turn of the century.