Profile of a Young Woman

The intimate drawing, Profile of a Young Woman by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, was executed in red chalk sometime between 1905 and 1915. This late-period work demonstrates Renoir’s enduring mastery of figure drawing, a crucial element of his transition away from the pure momentary effects of Impressionism toward a more classical focus on contour and volume. The use of red chalk, or sanguine, provides a rich, warm tone, emphasizing the soft curves of the sitter’s neck and shoulder. This technique links the work to traditional figure studies that prioritized line and form.

The subject is rendered in a classic profile view, emphasizing youthful elegance and serene composure. Renoir employs varied pressure in the red chalk to create subtle modulations of light and shadow, particularly visible in the delicate rendering of the hair coiled atop her head. In his later career, the French master often returned to the theme of the female figure, utilizing preliminary studies like this drawing to solidify anatomical understanding before executing larger paintings or sculptures. This focused practice connects Renoir back to earlier traditions of academic drawing, even as he helped define modern art in France.

Although celebrated primarily for his oil paintings, Renoir’s drawings offer invaluable insight into his working method and his ongoing pursuit of idealized beauty. This particular drawing, created during a prolific decade, resides in the distinguished collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Because this work falls within the later stages of the artist’s long career and its image is often available through the museum’s open access policies, high-quality prints of the sensitive depiction are frequently sought after by collectors and students of public domain art.