Watermark: none visible through lining.
Renoir used watercolor for a series of spontaneous nature studies executed in 1885, a period during which, working alongside Cézanne, he began searching for a new direction in his work. This freely executed view of the woods with two emerging figures is exceptional for the mirrored reflection in the water of the opposite bank. Renoir's experimentation with a more linear style is evident in the strong verticals of the trees and the clear horizontal of the riverbank that deliberately structure the view. -- Exhibition Label, from "Drawn to Greatness: Master Drawings from the Thaw Collection"
Vollard, Ambroise, 1867-1939, former owner.
Galea, Robert de, former owner.
Dorrance, John T., former owner.
Thaw, Eugene Victor, former owner.
Thaw, Clare, former owner.
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, NY, "Drawn to Greatness: Master Drawings from the Thaw Collection", 2017. Exh. cat., no. 333, repr.
Denison, Cara D. et al. The Thaw Collection : Master Drawings and New Acquisitions. New York : Pierpont Morgan Library, 1994, no. 88.
100 Master drawings from the Morgan Library & Museum. München : Hirmer, 2008, no. 89, repr. [Andreas Strobl]