Woman by the Grapevine, First Variant (Femme au cep de vigne, 1re variante) from Twelve Original Lithographs by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Douze lithographies originales de Pierre-Auguste Renoir)

Woman by the Grapevine, First Variant (Femme au cep de vigne, 1re variante) from Twelve Original Lithographs by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Douze lithographies originales de Pierre-Auguste Renoir) is a notable print that exemplifies the artist’s later period focus on classical figure studies. Created around 1904, this work is one of twelve lithographs Renoir contributed to a significant portfolio project, although the full edition was not formally published until 1919, after the artist’s death. This medium allowed Renoir to translate the tactile softness and volumetric modeling characteristic of his oil paintings into a reproducible format.

The subject matter aligns with Renoir's enduring fascination with the female form integrated into nature. Typically, the piece depicts a robust, idealized figure partially concealed by or interacting with foliage, suggesting the bounty of the natural world, often represented here by the specific motif of the grapevine. Renoir utilized the lithographic stone to achieve a rich variety of tonal effects, moving the composition away from the quick, light touch of his earlier Impressionist work toward a heavier, more sculptural rendering of the body.

Although the work was conceived during Renoir’s later years, the portfolio’s 1919 publication date solidified its place as a cornerstone of early 20th-century French printmaking. Renoir saw prints as a valuable way to experiment and distribute his evolving aesthetic vision to a wider audience. The resulting collection of lithographs demonstrates his continued exploration of texture and light, even in monochromatic form, relying on subtle cross-hatching and washes rather than color. This specific impression of Woman by the Grapevine, First Variant resides within the prestigious collection of the Museum of Modern Art, serving as a critical example of how late 19th-century masters adapted traditional print techniques to modern artistic concerns.