Stone with Three Sketches

Art Historical Context

In the Prints and Drawings department of the Institute of Chicago resides *Stone with Three Sketches a captivating lithograph by Pierre-Aug Renoir, created around 1904 and published in1919. Renoir, a leading figure in French Impressionism, is renowned for his luminous paintings of everyday life, but this work reveals his experimental side in printmaking. The image captures three informal sketches directly on the lith stone, rendered in bold black lines on creamy Japanese paper—a luxurious, textured support prized by artists for its absorbency and subtle sheen. Lithography, Renoir's chosen medium here, allowed for fluid, spontaneous drawing akin to his painterly brushstrokes. By drawing greasy crayon directly onto the stone's surface, which is then inked and printed, the artist preserved the immediacy of his hand. Measuring just 22.5 × 29 cm in the image area, this intimate sheet (26.8 × 37.1 cm overall) showcases Renoir's late-career loosening of form, bridging his Impressionist vitality with the graphic precision of print traditions. Produced near the end of Renoir's life—he passed in 1919—this piece highlights his enduring curiosity amid physical challenges like arthritis, which pushed him toward accessible techniques like lithography. For visitors, it offers a rare glimpse into the master's studio process, blending whimsy and mastery on a humble stone.

About the Artist

Pierre-Auguste Renoir · 1841–1919

Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) was a founding figure of Impressionism whose luminous depictions of Parisian leisure, sensuous female forms, and sun-dappled landscapes made him one of the most beloved painters in Western art history. Born in Limoges to a working-class family, Renoir began as a porcelain painter before pursuing fine arts, and this early craft experience gave him facility with the...