Woman Reclining (Femme couchee)

Woman Reclining (Femme couchee)

Auguste Renoir

1906

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a woman lying down in a field of tall grass. Her body is relaxed, one arm bent under her head, the other resting on the ground. The lines are loose and quick, with soft shading that makes the scene feel warm and natural. The artist used a mix of light and dark strokes to suggest fabric in her hair and the texture of the grass. The paper has a yellowish tint, which makes the lines stand out. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this one create prints with acid and needles.

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