A Seller’s Guide to Pierre Auguste Renoir
Le Chapeau Épinglé © Pierre Auguste Renoir 1898
Key Takeaways
Pierre Auguste Renoir is a household name in the art world. Sales of his printed works demonstrate his enduring appeal, regularly achieving between £5,000 and £50,000 at auction. His most sought-after etchings and lithographs, particularly those featuring his iconic impressionist style and scenes of Parisian life, command the highest prices; a record of over £170,000 is held by Le Chapeau Épinglé (1898). Authentication of Renoir's prints requires expert appraisal, due to their age, and the consultation of printed scholarship. Given Renoir's use of delicate papers and light-sensitive inks, condition assessment is crucial to determining a print's value. Strategic timing, such as selling during major Impressionist exhibitions or when interest in 19th-century French art surges, can optimise returns for sellers.
Pierre Auguste Renoir was a pioneering figure of the Impressionist movement, with well-known works including vibrant depictions of Parisian life and sensuous female nudes. His artistic vision was shaped by his experiences in late 19th-century Paris and his deep appreciation for the beauty of everyday life. This guide aims to navigate the market for Renoir's prints, offering insights into valuation, authentication, and selling strategies for those looking to part with their pieces.
While primarily celebrated for his paintings, Renoir's prints offer collectors a more accessible entry point to own works by this master of French Impressionism. Though less extensive than his painting output, his printmaking reflects the same sensitivity to light, colour, and movement that characterises his canvases. Renoir experimented with various printmaking techniques, including etching and lithography, often collaborating with skilled printers to translate his painterly style into the print medium.
Throughout his career, Renoir produced a limited but significant body of prints, often revisiting popular subjects from his paintings. These prints, created in small editions, capture the essence of Renoir's style, featuring scenes of leisure, portraits, and studies of the female form. The rarity of Renoir's prints, combined with his status as a pivotal figure in art history, contributes to their high value in the art market.
How Much Do Pierre Auguste Renoir Prints Sell For?
Renoir’s popularity as a painter is reflected in the enduring market for his prints. His significant role in art history, specifically in the development of Impressionism, still captures the attention of collectors, scholars, and art enthusiasts alike. Prices for Renoir's prints can vary significantly based on factors such as rarity, condition, subject matter, and provenance. Generally, individual prints by Renoir fetch between £5,000 and £40,000.
Renoir's most sought-after prints often feature his iconic scenes of Parisian life, bathers, or portraits. For example, his colour lithograph Le Chapeau Épinglé (1898) (which translates to The Hat Secured With A Pin), is a regular favourite at auction. The popularity of this print originates in its variations, with prints made from multiple plates - this means there are subtle differences in linework, colour, and depth across the editions. In 2010, the sale of Le Chapeau Épinglé (1898) from the second plate set a record for the sale of a Renoir print, auctioning for £171,885 at Sotheby’s.
Another popular print is Les Enfants Jouant À La Balle (c.1900), which has sold at auction for over £40,000 several times in the past two decades, and, again, demonstrates the soft finish and tonal colour palette that is typical of Renoir’s works. Similarly, L’Enfant Au Biscuit (1899) and Baigneuse Debout, En Pied (1865), are great examples of Renoir’s work; well-preserved and documented prints have sold for over £20,000 at auction.
The rarity of Renoir's prints significantly influences their value. Many of his etchings and lithographs were produced in very limited editions, sometimes as few as 25 to 50 impressions. These small edition sizes, combined with the fragility of the prints, make well-preserved examples particularly valuable. Renoir’s lithographs, however, exist in much larger editions of around 200.
Prints such as Une Mère Et Deux Enfants, which was printed multiple times during Renoir’s career (1897, 1898, 1900, 1905, 1910, and 1912), generally command lower prices at auction due to their undefined editions, varying sizes, and the uncertainty surrounding their dates of creation; however, sellers can still expect to achieve a sale of up to £5,000. Posthumous prints, produced after Renoir's death in 1919, will also generally command lower prices than those created during his lifetime. This is in part due to their edition size - editions published by Mourlot Freres in 1951 are as large as 3000. However, these later impressions can still be valuable, especially if they were printed from the original plates or stones under the supervision of Renoir's son or trusted associates.
How Do You Authenticate A Pierre Auguste Renoir Print?
As Renoir’s works were published such a long time ago, more scholarly examination has taken place than with modern artists, and experts will have a more definitive understanding of how to confidently authenticate his prints. Equally, the relatively small number of editions produced ensures more consistency in terms of signature and print studio. The process begins with establishing the print's provenance, tracing its history of ownership as far back as possible. Certificates of authenticity, gallery receipts, and exhibition records can be invaluable in establishing legitimacy.
The most definitive references for authenticating Renoir's prints are Auguste Renoir. Catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre peint. I. Figures 1860-1890 by Francois Daulte and the updated version of Pierre-Auguste Renoir: L'Oeuvre Gravé et Lithographié by Loys Delteil. Other catalogues featuring Renoir’s paintings and drawings will also contain some information about paper works. Comparing your print to the examples and descriptions in these catalogues can be a crucial step in establishing the authenticity of your piece.
Renoir's prints were often created in collaboration with professional printers, such as Auguste Clot (of Atelier Clot in Paris) for lithographs. Understanding these collaborations and their characteristics can provide additional context for authentication. Each of these partnerships had its own nuances in terms of paper, technique, and style, which can be crucial in the authentication process.
Edition and Signature
Many of Renoir’s prints bear his signature written as "Renoir" in black ink on the printed image itself, and then again written in pencil in the lower left corner of the print margin. However, it's important to note that not all authentic Renoir prints are signed, as he sometimes left the signing to his printers or dealers.
Edition numbers are less common on Renoir's prints, as the practice of numbering editions was not consistently applied during his lifetime. When present, edition information may be found in pencil on the lower left margin. Print editions published during Renoir's lifetime were often small, ranging from 25 to 100 impressions, while posthumous print runs were much larger. Posthumous prints may bear stamped signatures or other indications of their status, but will not bear Renoir’s handwritten signature. While these prints can still be valuable, they are generally less sought after than lifetime impressions.
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Has Your Pierre Auguste Renoir Print Been Kept In Good Condition?
Renoir's prints, created over a century ago, are inherently delicate and susceptible to various forms of deterioration. Understanding the specific materials and techniques used in Renoir's printmaking can help in assessing and preserving these valuable works.
Renoir primarily used high-quality papers for his prints, including laid paper and heavy handmade wove paper. Some of his posthumous editions were printed on Japon paper. Handmade papers, while beautiful, are particularly sensitive to environmental factors. When examining a Renoir print, look for any signs of discolouration, foxing (brown spots caused by oxidation), or acid burn, particularly around the edges. Any yellowing of the paper or fading of the inks can indicate exposure to light or poor storage conditions.
For Renoir's etchings, pay close attention to the quality of the lines and the depth of the ink. Over time, the plate marks – the slight indentation around the printed area created by the pressure of the printing press – can become less pronounced. A strong, clear plate mark is often a sign of an early, high-quality impression.
Proper storage is crucial. If possible, prints should be kept in acid-free environments (ideally portfolios or folders), away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity. If framed, UV-protective glass and acid-free matting will prevent light damage and acid migration.
Professional conservation, if needed, should be undertaken with great care to preserve the integrity of the print. Improper restoration attempts can negatively affect the value of the print more than the original damage. Any conservation work should be fully documented to maintain the print's provenance and market value. For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Pierre Auguste Renoir print, contact MyArtBroker.
When Is The Best Time To Sell My Pierre Auguste Renoir Print?
As one of the world’s best-known and best-loved artists, Renoir’s works have experienced a steady appreciation of value, ensuring they remain popular investments for art collectors. The value of your print, however, can be affected by a number of factors.
Major exhibitions or retrospectives focusing on Renoir or Impressionism can significantly impact the market for his prints. These events often generate renewed interest and media coverage, encouraging discussion of and demand for Renoir’s work. For example, the comprehensive Renoir in the 20th Century exhibition that travelled to Paris, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia in 2009-2010 sparked increased interest in Renoir's lesser-known later works, serving to somewhat balance the market for Renoir’s prints. It was, however, around this time that Le Chapeau Épinglé (1898) achieved its record auction value.
Anniversary years related to significant moments in Renoir's career can create opportune selling moments. The 100th anniversary of Renoir's death in 2019 saw numerous exhibitions and publications, causing a reinvigoration of the market that is still being felt. Broader trends in the art market, such as interest in Impressionist art, can create a favourable environment for selling a Renoir print. We advise that owners of Renoir prints monitor the sales results and market reports from major auction houses and galleries specialising in Impressionist prints. These can provide insights into which subjects or periods of Renoir's printmaking are currently in highest demand. For instance, if there's a surge of interest in Renoir's portraits or scenes of Parisian life, it might be an opportune time to sell prints featuring these subjects.
MyArtBroker offers advanced art tech tools to help you determine the optimal time to sell. Our MyPortfolio service features an AI-powered value indicator that provides real-time valuations of individual prints based on both public and private sales data. Combined with our complimentary valuations, we can help ensure your print achieves maximum value by selling at the perfect moment.
Ways to Sell with MyArtBroker
At MyArtBroker, our specialists provide a free market valuation for your artwork, offering a level of transparency unmatched in today’s market. In addition to our valuations, through our online Trading Floor, you can access real-time insights into works by the artist you’re looking to sell, including pieces that are most in demand, wanted, or currently for sale: allowing sellers to trust the valuation that they are provided.
Additionally, the MyPortfolio collection management service grants you free access to our comprehensive print market database. This resource allows you to review auction histories for the specific work you’re looking to sell, including hammer prices, values paid, and seller returns. In a fluctuating market, this historical data is invaluable - and often comes at a cost elsewhere - offering insights into past and current values to further inform decisions based on market timing and conditions. In addition to our specialists guidance, you have concrete data.
Our approach is tailored to align with the unique attributes of each artwork, and offer optimal results:
How a Private Sale Works
Unlike peer-to-peer platforms, which lack specialised expertise, authenticity guarantees, and legal infrastructure for high-value sales, MyArtBroker operates through private sales ensuring a secure and seamless transaction process. We charge sellers 0% to sell, and take a small commission from our buyers, absorbing essential aspects including insurance, shipping, and marketing - at no extra cost to the seller. There is no magic to it, we’re a lean specialised business with less overheads than traditional models meaning we can do better for our clients.
Our revenue is derived from buyer commissions only, which are individually negotiated upon offer, and we aim to give the client the best return in the market place. By focusing on high-value artworks in excess of £10,000, we provide specialised care and expertise, ensuring each piece receives the attention it deserves, while simultaneously maximising returns with our clients. For works that fall below this threshold speak to the team about a recommendation, we offer market advisory free of charge. Our goal at MyArtBroker is to offer a seamless solution, setting us apart in the art market.
Advisory and Recommendations
In cases for artists and artworks, where our existing network of collectors isn’t the best fit due to value, medium or condition we collaborate with reputable partners to facilitate its sale. Carefully tailoring your artwork to the right party. This tailored approach is especially important as it considers the unique attributes of each artwork, providing sellers with the best possible outcome in today’s shifting art market. You can discuss this approach with us without charge as part of our advisory service.
Such recommendations are on a case-by-case basis, and ensures broader exposure and takes advantage of our knowledge of where a work will do best.
Pierre Auguste Renoir Collection Management With MyPortfolio
In addition to our live trading floor, MyArtBroker's MyPortfolio serves as a collection management system, empowering collectors to curate and oversee their prints and editions collection. This feature grants users access to our print market database, uniquely tied to our proprietary algorithm, SingularityX. This algorithm scans and analyses both public auction and private sales data to determine real time valuations of individual print works, factoring in various aspects such as condition, colour, and other factors affecting value.
Read What Powers MyArtBroker's Technology? In Conversation With Stuart Jamieson, Financial Quant to learn more about our algorithm.
