Washerwoman

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Washerwoman

Artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir (French, 1841-1919)

Place of OriginFrance

Date1917

DimensionsH: 48 1/4 in. (122.6 cm); W (base): 21 1/2 in. (54.6 cm); Depth (base): 50 in. (127 cm)

MediumBronze

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1950.240

Not on View

Label TextThough he had first experimented with sculpture in 1907–08, Pierre-Auguste Renoir returned to it more seriously in 1913 at the urging of his dealer. However, by this time he was severely afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis and was unable to model the figures himself. Instead, he worked with the young Spanish sculptor Richard Guino (1890–1973) who translated Renoir’s ideas into three-dimensional form under the careful supervision of the artist. Renoir conceived Washerwoman as one of a pair of figures. The other, never completed, would have been a blacksmith. The figures were to represent the elements Water and Fire.Published ReferencesLee, Katherine C., "French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism," Toledo Museum News, vol. 12, no. 3, Autumn 1969, repr. p. 75.Comparative ReferencesSee also Hasaerts, Paul, Renoir, Sculptor, New York, 1947, pp. 31, 42, repr. pl. XXXVIII-XLII. Cf. Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Museum of Modern Art, Sculpture of the Twentieth Century, 1952-1953, no. 94, repr. p. 7 (Philadelphia Museum example). Cf. Art News, vol. 51, January 1953, p. 42, repr. (Philadelphia Museum example). Cf. Curt Valentin Gallery, New York, Closing Exhibition, 1955, no. 162, repr. Cf. Rothenstein, Sir John, The Tate Gallery, London, 1958, pp. 188-189, pl. 12.