Study of Seated Nude Woman

The Study of Seated Nude Woman is a significant print by Pierre Auguste Renoir (French, 1841-1919), created between 1899 and 1909. This lithograph on paper was expertly printed by Auguste Clot and published in Paris by the famed dealer Ambroise Vollard, establishing its importance in the history of French printmaking. The collaboration between the artist, the specialized printer, and the pioneering publisher highlights Renoir's commitment to graphic arts late in his career, seeking new methods to disseminate his characteristic subject matter.

The subject is a quintessential element of Renoir’s prolific oeuvre: the female nude. Unlike his earlier Impressionist depictions, this study, executed near the turn of the century in France, showcases a move toward more classical modeling and solid form, typical of the artist’s later work. Renoir used the figure to explore the effects of light and volume on skin, transforming what might traditionally have been an academic figure study into a warm, sensual image defined by soft contours. This piece captures the immediacy of a preparatory sketch while maintaining the lush aesthetic associated with the artist.

Classified simply as a print, the work exemplifies how master painters utilized lithography to disseminate their visions to a wider audience. The medium provided Renoir a distinct avenue for iterative exploration of form and texture. This important piece is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a classic example of turn-of-the-century French prints, images of this piece are often available through public domain initiatives, allowing broader access to Renoir’s mastery of the human figure.