Child with Blond Hair

1895/1900

Auguste Renoir

Associated Names
Auguste Renoir

Artist, French, 1841 - 1919

The artwork depicts the head and shoulders of a child with blond hair. The child is positioned slightly tilted, with their face showing soft, rounded features. The hair is painted with loose, flowing strokes, showing texture and movement. The child's eyes are closed or slightly downcast, and their lips are painted with a subtle, natural color. They are wearing a light-colored garment with a ruffled collar. The background is a mix of muted colors, with a textured appearance typical of canvas. The style is impressionistic, with visible brushstrokes and a focus on light and color.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    oil on canvas

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (including taped edges): 9.5 x 8.4 cm (3 3/4 x 3 5/16 in.)
    framed: 19.4 x 17.8 x 2.9 cm (7 5/8 x 7 x 1 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1970.17.69

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Ambroise Vollard [1866-1939], Paris). Capt. Edward H. Molyneux [1891-1974], Paris, by 1952;[1] sold 15 August 1955 to Ailsa Mellon Bruce [1901-1969], New York; bequest 1970 to NGA.

[1]Exhibited as part of the Molyneux collection in 1952 at the National Gallery of Art.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1952

  • French Paintings from the Molyneux Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1952, unnumbered checklist, as Head of a Child.

1978

  • Small French Paintings from the Bequest of Ailsa Mellon Bruce. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1978: 56, repro. (continuing exhibition beginning in 1978).

2009

  • Extended loan for use by Vice President and Mrs. Joseph Biden, Vice President's House, Washington, D.C., 2009-2015.

Bibliography

1918

  • Vollard, Ambroise. Tableaux, Pastels & Dessins de Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Paris, 1918: II: repro. 175.

1975

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Summary Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1975: 300, repro.

1978

  • Small French Paintings from the Bequest of Ailsa Mellon Bruce. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1978: 56, repro. (continuing exhibition beginning in 1978).

1985

  • European Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1985: 345, repro.

1997

  • Southgate, M. Therese. The Art of JAMA: One Hundred Covers and Essays from The Journal of the American Medical Association. St. Louis, 1997: 128-129, color repro.

Inscriptions

lower right: R

Wikidata ID

Q20190478

You may be interested in

Loading Results