Artwork
Maternity (Maternite)
Maternity (Maternite) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Maternity (Maternite) is a lithograph created by Auguste Renoir around 1912. The work depicts a serene scene of a mother cradling her infant close to her chest, her gentle gaze directed downward at the child.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of maternal tenderness, a theme Renoir explored in earlier paintings, is revisited here with a focus on quiet intimacy. The composition conveys a sense of calm and affection.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography, the piece showcases Renoir's experimentation with the medium late in his career. Unlike brushwork, lithography involves printing from a flat stone, a technique Renoir enjoyed exploring in his later years.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1912, this lithograph represents one of Renoir's later explorations into printmaking. For further comparison, another Renoir lithograph is housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a French artist who was a leading painter in the development of the Impressionist style.
