Study of Seated Female Nude, Variant

The Study of Seated Female Nude, Variant by Pierre Auguste Renoir (French, 1841-1919) is a significant example of the Impressionist master's late-career exploration of printmaking. Created as a lithograph in black on delicate ivory Japanese paper between 1899 and 1909, this work showcases Renoir's characteristic soft line and profound emphasis on the female form. The technical quality of the piece is partially attributable to the involvement of master printer Auguste Clot (French, 1858-1936), known for his expertise in handling subtle color and tonal gradients in lithography. Its importance is further cemented by its publication under the renowned dealer Ambroise Vollard (French, 1835-1939), who championed the revival of fine art prints in France at the turn of the century, commissioning major projects from leading artists.

Renoir consistently returned to the subject of the nude throughout his career, often rendering his models with a luminous sensuality that bridged Impressionist observation and classical figuration. This particular variant, produced during the artist's mature period, emphasizes the seated figure's relaxed posture and fluid contours. Renoir utilized the grease crayon directly on the stone to achieve subtle textural variations and delicate modeling, lending the impression of an intimate, spontaneous drawing. The collaboration between Renoir, Clot, and Vollard highlights the vibrant ecosystem connecting artists and publishers in fin-de-siècle Paris. This important work of French printmaking history is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, contributing to the institution’s rich holdings of early modern prints. High-quality images of such historic artworks are frequently made available in the public domain for study and appreciation.