Étude d’enfant 1886

Pierre-Auguste Renoir drew this study of a child using graphite on paper, likely during the late 19th or early 20th century. Renoir was interested in representing modern life, including the everyday experiences of women and children. During this time, the image of childhood became increasingly sentimentalized, reflecting changing social attitudes toward family life. The sketch-like quality of this study is notable. In academic art of the time, artists often made preliminary studies as part of a longer process that led to a finished painting. The Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, however, often exhibited works that looked unfinished, challenging the authority of the French Academy and its emphasis on polish and perfection. To better understand Renoir's artistic choices, we can look at exhibition reviews and other documents that reflect the changing landscape of art institutions. This helps us appreciate how he was at once embracing and challenging the established social norms of his time.