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Lot Essay
Renoir’s youngest son Claude was born on 4 August 1901. Renoir was then sixty years old and having another child at the autumn of his life brought him great joy and inspiration. Renoir deeply cherished his third son, openly doting upon the boy and devoting hours of labor to capturing his cherubic likeness. He looked upon his infant son's health and growth as an affirmation of youth and life, for Renoir was now starting to suffer from the ailments of old age.
The family lovingly nicknamed their youngest son Cloclo, which later became Coco. Almost immediately, he became Renoir's favorite model, replacing his elder brother Jean. As Jean Renoir recalled: “it was while we were living in the rue Caulaincourt that my father had me pose for him most often. A few years later my brother Claude, who was seven years younger than I, was to take my place in the studio. Coco certainly proved one of the most prolific inspirations my father ever had” (Renoir, My Father, New York, 1958, p. 364).
Although frequently represented alone, numerous paintings feature Coco in the company of women, particularly that of his mother's cousin, Gabriel Renard. Renoir's portraits of Coco serve as excellent documentation of the child's development spanning from infancy to early adolescence.
Here the artist has captured the child seemingly unaware of the viewer, writing or drawing in his sketchbook. It is a charming work whose delicate execution instantly communicates Renoir's fatherly affections. Coco's white blouse contrasts beautifully with the rosy flush of his cheek, further emphasizing the child's youthful vibrancy.
The family lovingly nicknamed their youngest son Cloclo, which later became Coco. Almost immediately, he became Renoir's favorite model, replacing his elder brother Jean. As Jean Renoir recalled: “it was while we were living in the rue Caulaincourt that my father had me pose for him most often. A few years later my brother Claude, who was seven years younger than I, was to take my place in the studio. Coco certainly proved one of the most prolific inspirations my father ever had” (Renoir, My Father, New York, 1958, p. 364).
Although frequently represented alone, numerous paintings feature Coco in the company of women, particularly that of his mother's cousin, Gabriel Renard. Renoir's portraits of Coco serve as excellent documentation of the child's development spanning from infancy to early adolescence.
Here the artist has captured the child seemingly unaware of the viewer, writing or drawing in his sketchbook. It is a charming work whose delicate execution instantly communicates Renoir's fatherly affections. Coco's white blouse contrasts beautifully with the rosy flush of his cheek, further emphasizing the child's youthful vibrancy.