Artwork
Portrait de Renoir (2e planche) (Portrait of Renoir) (second plate)
Portrait de Renoir (2e planche) (Portrait of Renoir) (second plate) is an ink print by Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The image presents a profile view of a man, rendered with swift, unrefined lines that preserve the texture of the paper.
Jean-Louis Forain’s *Portrait de Renoir (2e planche)* is a transfer lithograph executed on wove paper in 1905. The image presents a profile view of a man, rendered with swift, unrefined lines that preserve the texture of the paper. As a print rather than a painted work, it exemplifies Forain’s engagement with lithographic techniques alongside his broader practice in oil, watercolor, pastel, and etching.
Subject & Meaning
The figure depicted is a gentleman in profile, wearing a flat cap and a high‑collared shirt. His left hand rests on his chest while his right hand holds an object near his face, possibly glasses or a pipe, suggesting a moment of contemplation or informal self‑portraiture. The loose handling conveys immediacy rather than formal likeness.
Technique & Style
Created as a transfer lithograph, the image was drawn on a stone or metal plate and then transferred onto the paper, allowing Forain to retain the spontaneity of a sketch in the final print. The visible paper grain and unsoftened strokes reflect a deliberate choice to emphasize the artist’s hand and the medium’s tactile qualities.
History & Provenance
Forain, an active participant in the French Impressionist circle, produced this work during a period when his prints enjoyed considerable commercial demand. While his reputation was strong during his lifetime, subsequent art historical assessments have placed him in a secondary position relative to more celebrated Impressionist peers.
Context
The portrait aligns with Forain’s broader interest in capturing contemporary life and personalities through quick, observational drawing. In the early twentieth century, lithography offered artists a means to disseminate images widely, and Forain’s use of the medium reflects both his artistic versatility and the market’s appetite for affordable, reproducible works.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Louis Forain (French pronunciation: ; 23 October 1852 – 11 July 1931) was a French Impressionist painter and printmaker, working in media including oils, watercolour, pastel, etching and lithograph.
