Artwork
Seated Woman with Bared Breast
Seated Woman with Bared Breast is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Western Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1918, this oil work by Pierre‑Auguste Renoir is part of the collection at the National Museum of Western Art. The canvas presents a solitary female figure seated, her torso partially uncovered, set against a loosely rendered backdrop of warm hues.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter is shown in a relaxed pose, her dark hair gathered back and a white drape resting on her left shoulder. She gazes downward to her right, her expression calm and introspective, suggesting a private moment of repose.
Technique & Style
Renoir employs a palette of orange, yellow, brown and red, applying brushstrokes that blend softness with vigor. The handling of light on skin and fabric creates a tactile sense of warmth, while the background remains loosely defined, emphasizing the figure’s presence.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the National Museum of Western Art’s holdings after its creation, though details of its acquisition are limited. It remains one of Renoir’s later works, produced shortly before his death in 1919.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was born on 25 February 1841 in Limoges, the son of a tailor and a seamstress.
