Claude Renoir, Head Lowered

Claude Renoir, Head Lowered is a striking black lithograph by Pierre Auguste Renoir (French, 1841-1919), executed on cream Japanese paper sometime between 1899 and 1909. This delicate printing endeavor was a complex collaboration, featuring the technical skill of printer Auguste Clot (French, 1858-1936) and the entrepreneurial vision of renowned publisher Ambroise Vollard (French, 1835-1939).

Renoir frequently used members of his family as subjects, lending an intimate quality to his portraits. In this piece, the artist captures his youngest son, Claude, in a moment of quiet repose, his head gently bowed in contemplation. While celebrated primarily for his vibrant Impressionist oil paintings, Renoir actively explored the fine art prints medium in the later stages of his career, utilizing lithography to capture the soft contours and simplified lines that define this composition. The luxurious choice of cream Japanese paper enhances the subtle tonal variations achieved through the black ink.

As a significant example of French graphic arts produced around the turn of the century, the work illustrates the specialized printing techniques prevalent in France. The print's collaborative creation, involving the artist, the specialized printer Clot, and the visionary dealer Vollard, underscores the robust industry supporting high-quality editioned works during the fin de siècle. This masterful lithograph, classified simply as a print, is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.