Woman by the Grapevine (Femme au cep de vigne) from Twelve Original Lithographs by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Douze lithographies originales de Pierre-Auguste Renoir)

Woman by the Grapevine (Femme au cep de vigne) from Twelve Original Lithographs by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Douze lithographies originales de Pierre-Auguste Renoir) is a significant example of the artist's late engagement with the medium of printmaking. This particular image is one of twelve original lithographs created around 1904 for the influential publisher Ambroise Vollard, though the complete portfolio was not formally published until 1919. While the French master is primarily associated with Impressionist painting, his lithographic output demonstrates a fluid and refined adaptation of drawing techniques to the reproductive potential of prints.

The subject matter is characteristic of Renoir’s mature phase, depicting an idealized female figure, often nude or partially draped, situated in a natural environment. Here, the woman interacts with a grapevine, invoking classical or pastoral themes that became central preoccupations in the artist's final decades. Unlike the densely layered color of his oils, this work relies on delicate variation of light and shadow achieved through precise lithographic chalk drawing applied directly to the stone. Renoir utilized a soft, atmospheric style, emphasizing the curves and contours of the figure while maintaining a sense of spontaneity usually associated with preliminary artistic sketches.

Executed during a critical juncture in early 20th-century art, this body of work illustrates Renoir's willingness to collaborate with dealers like Vollard to create reproducible artwork. The delayed publication in 1919 ensured that these specialized prints were meticulously documented despite being created around c. 1904. The portfolio offered a new dimension to Renoir's legacy, allowing his late, idealized style to reach a wider audience outside of commissioned paintings. This historically important print is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, underscoring its place as a major example of early modern French graphic arts.