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Bust of a Young Woman (Jeune femme en buste)

Auguste Renoir

1892

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Bust of a Young Woman (Jeune femme en buste) is a 1892 ink by Auguste Renoir, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Auguste Renoir
When & what style?: 1892 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a woman’s face and shoulders, drawn in soft, smudgy lines. Her hair is piled high, and she wears a loose, draped garment. The shading is light, with no harsh outlines—just gentle strokes that blur edges. The artist used a technique called lithography, where the drawing is made on a smooth stone before being printed. This lets the lines stay loose and sketchy, like a quick study. Next, look up lithography to see how this printing method works.