Renoir Examination

Several pieces of evidence support the potential authenticity of the Renoir drawing found in Pennsylvania:

1. Signature: The drawing bears a faint signature that matches Renoir’s style, adding credibility to its attribution.

2. Provenance: The artwork includes a French export stamp linking it to Louis C. Madeira IV, a prominent Philadelphia art collector known for his involvement with European masterpieces. This connection strengthens the historical traceability of the piece.

3. Materials and Craftsmanship:

    • The paper used is consistent with late 19th-century materials that Renoir employed.

    • The frame displays meticulous craftsmanship typical of Renoir’s era, suggesting it was treated as a valuable work.

4. Stylistic Analysis: The shading and composition align with Renoir’s “Ingres period” (circa 1883–1884), known for its focus on light and detail. The subject is believed to be Aline Charigot, Renoir’s wife and frequent muse, which fits his artistic themes.

5. Expert Appraisal: An appraiser referred by Sotheby’s has preliminarily validated the drawing as likely authentic based on its characteristics and provenance.

6. Pending Authentication: The Wildenstein Plattner Institute, a leading authority on Impressionist art, is conducting a rigorous evaluation scheduled for April 10, 2025. If authenticated, the drawing will be included in Renoir’s Catalogue Raisonné, confirming its authenticity definitively.

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These elements collectively create a strong case for the drawing’s authenticity, though final confirmation depends on the outcome of expert analysis by the Wildenstein Plattner Institute