Woman by the Grapevine, Second Variant (Femme au cep de vigne, 2e variante) from Twelve Original Lithographs by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Douze lithographies originales de Pierre-Auguste Renoir)

Woman by the Grapevine, Second Variant (Femme au cep de vigne, 2e variante) from Twelve Original Lithographs by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Douze lithographies originales de Pierre-Auguste Renoir) is a compelling example of the French master’s late-career commitment to graphic arts. Created around c. 1904, this work is one of twelve original prints forming a portfolio commissioned by Renoir’s dealer, Ambroise Vollard. Although the image was realized in 1904, the full portfolio was formally published in 1919, the year of Renoir's death, confirming his continued importance to the realm of modern prints.

The lithograph technique allowed Renoir to translate the soft, sensual quality of his oil painting style into a reproducible medium. Consistent with the aesthetic concerns of the artist’s final decades, the subject matter focuses intently on the idealized female nude situated in a bucolic setting. The woman is draped amidst a thicket of grapevines and foliage, a classical motif often utilized by Renoir to evoke pastoral abundance and fertility. The artist’s characteristic handling of light and form is evident, featuring broad, feathery strokes that give the figure a delicate, sculptural presence while preserving the inherent granular texture of the stone printing process.

This piece, categorized as a print, represents a significant moment in early 20th-century French culture when major Impressionist artists embraced printmaking, extending their artistic reach beyond unique paintings and canvases. The success of this series secured Renoir’s lasting legacy in the field of graphic arts. Today, the original impression of Woman by the Grapevine, Second Variant is preserved in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). As a celebrated work, high-quality images and prints of this art are frequently shared through public domain collections, allowing researchers and enthusiasts worldwide to study Renoir’s mastery of the lithographic medium.