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La Maternité Sculpture by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
$128,500List Price
About the Item
1841-1919 · French
La Maternité
Bronze with dark patina
Signed "Renoir" and the foundry mark "Alexis Rudier/Fondeur · Paris"
21 1/2" high
This striking bronze, entitled La Maternité is one of only 27 ever created by the celebrated French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Just a handful were ever made, so the majority of these coveted and incredibly rare masterpieces are housed at premier museums worldwide such as London's Tate, the Louvre in Paris and New York's Museum of Modern Art. This exceptional bronze bust of Renoir's wife, Aline, breastfeeding his first born son, Pierre. This poignant commentary on maternal love presents the artistic heights reached by one of art history's most famed artists. It is a loving portrayal executed in a manner that seems almost as if one of Renoir's Impressionist canvases has come to life.
La Maternité was originally sculpted in 1916, and the bronze was cast by the foundry of Alexis Rudier (La Fonderie Rudier) in Paris (fl. 1874-1952). It is believed that it is based upon Renoir's painting entitled Maternité dit aussi L'Enfant au sein housed at the Musée d'Orsay. The painting was executed in the first few months after his son's birth on March 21, 1885. From its intimate portrayal of such a nurturing act, it is clear to see why the artist would choose to recapture the tender moment in sculpture.
Renoir was not a prolific sculptor, since arthritis crippled his hands just around the time he began working in the art form. During this period, many sculptors, including the great Rodin, employed young assistants, and in 1913, Renoir hired sculptor Richard Guino, who soon proved to have an uncanny ability to understand and translate Renoir's style, thus helping the artist to create some of his greatest works. For many years after Renoir's death, Guino's role was downplayed to the point of barely being mentioned. After a lengthy lawsuit with the Renoir estate, Guino finally received recognition for his role in this partnership in the 1980s, several decades after Renoir's death.
Almost all of the bronzes created by Renoir and Guino are in museums today, and when these incredible works appear at auction, they are eagerly sought after by the greatest museums in the world and private collectors.
Museums Renoir sculptures can be found:
Hirschhorn Museum, Washington, D.C.
Tate Gallery, London
Louvre, Paris
Museum of Modern Art, New York
Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, California
- Dimensions:Height: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1916
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:Seller: 29-63441stDibs: U1104258911164
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