Last Renoir painting at auction in New York

[I-V]

Heritage Auctions

Unknown Renoir ( Heizvestny Renoir ) , September 19, 2013 , New York


Lot 89092

Estimate: $ 80,000 - $ 120,000

PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR (French, 1841-1919)

Les Bécasses ( Woodcocks ) 1919

Oil on canvas

5-3/4 x 7-7/8 inches (14.5 x 20.1 cm)

Signed lower right (usual apocryphal signature in red): Renoir


We would like to thank renowned Renoir specialist, Virginie Journiac for authenticating this work, which will be included in her forthcoming book, Auguste Renoir.

This small picture seems to be the last painting Renoir created, on December 2nd, 1919 , just several hours before his death.
In its agony, Renoir evoked this painting, as Félix Fénéon, witness to the last moments of the master's life along with his two doctors, Dr. Prat and Dr. Duthil recounts:

Dr Duthil had killed two woodcocks and had told the master his exploit.
In his frenzy, these birds returned stubbornly and, associated to ideas of painting, were his last concern.

"Give me my pallet ...
These two woodcocks ... Turn left the woodcock ... Return me back my pallet ... I cannot paint this beak ... Hurry up, my colors ... Change the place of these woodcocks. "

He died at two o'clock in the morning Wednesday, December 3rd, 1919 .


 
It is a small painting , Renoir created December 2, 1919 , just a few hours before his death, is apparently the product of the last master. According to witnesses the last moments of his life, Felix Feneona and two doctors, Dr. Pratt and Dr. datkha , Renoir painting was almost in its death throes :

"Dr. datkha killed two woodcocks and spoke of his " heroism " Maitre . Birds , more irresistible urge to write them, did not give rest Renoir :

    - Give me my palette ! .. these woodcocks ! .. Woodcock slide to the left ... give me back my palette ... I can not write this beak ... rather, my paint! .. redistribute woodcock ...

He died at two in the morning on Wednesday , December 3, ... "

(interpretation of the IV, I will welcome your amendments )


http://www.ha.com/ - Heritage Auctions

http://fineart.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=5157&lotNo=89092 - " Woodcocks " in the auction catalog


- Auction catalog

- Auction catalog