Artwork
Nu au fauteuil
Nu au fauteuil is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1900, this oil on canvas by Pierre‑Auguste Renoir is part of the collection at the Kunsthaus Zürich. The work portrays a solitary female figure seated on a vivid red chair, her back turned toward the viewer, enveloped in a quiet, intimate atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features a nude woman with dark hair gathered back, a white drape covering her lap, and her right hand lifting another piece of cloth. The pose, with the figure’s back to the observer, invites contemplation of privacy and the subtle tension between exposure and concealment.
Technique & Style
Renoir employs soft, rounded forms and a gentle modulation of light that falls from the right, highlighting the curves of the body. Visible brushwork creates a textured surface, while a muted palette of greens, browns, and a touch of blue in the background recedes behind the luminous reds of the chair.
History & Provenance
The painting, titled “Nu au fauteuil,” entered the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display. Its acquisition date and prior ownership are not extensively documented, but the work represents Renoir’s late‑career exploration of the nude genre.
Context
At the turn of the twentieth century, Renoir revisited the female nude, integrating his Impressionist sensibilities with a more classical compositional balance. This piece reflects his ongoing interest in intimate interior scenes, aligning with contemporaneous trends that emphasized personal, domestic moments over grand historical narratives.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was born on 25 February 1841 in Limoges, the son of a tailor and a seamstress.
