A remarkable piece of art history emerged from obscurity this week when a previously unknown painting by French impressionist master Pierre-Auguste Renoir sold for €1.8 million (£1.54 million) at a Paris auction.
The Remarkable Discovery
The oil painting, titled L'enfant et ses jouets – Gabrielle et le fils de l'artiste, Jean (The Child and His Toys – Gabrielle and the Artist's Son, Jean), had never been exhibited publicly or sold before appearing at the Drouot auction house. Believed to have been created between 1890 and 1895, the work depicts Renoir's second son, Jean, who would later become an Oscar-winning filmmaker, sitting with his nanny.
Art historian and Renoir expert Pascal Perrin, who presented the canvas, highlighted the painting's exceptional state of preservation. The artwork has undergone no restoration throughout its history, remaining in pristine condition since its creation over a century ago.
A Hidden Family History
The painting's provenance reveals a fascinating personal connection. It originally belonged to Jeanne Baudot, a friend and student of Renoir's who served as Jean's godmother. She passed the artwork down to her inheritors, where it remained in private hands until this week's sale.
The auction house had initially valued the work between €1 million and €1.5 million, but competitive bidding pushed the final price to €1.8 million. Drouot confirmed the painting was acquired by an international buyer, though the identity remains confidential.
Renoir's Cinematic Legacy
The painting's subject, Jean Renoir, born in 1894, achieved significant fame in his own right beyond being his father's muse. He received a Lifetime Achievement Academy Award in 1975, several years before his death at age 84. His most celebrated work, La Grande Illusion, remains a cornerstone of 1930s cinema, following two French prisoners of war during the First World War.
This sale comes during a notable period for the high-end art market, which has shown signs of revival after several years of decline. Just last week, a self-portrait by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo sold for $54.66 million in New York, setting a record for a painting by a woman. Meanwhile, a Gustav Klimt canvas fetched $236.4 million – the second-most expensive artwork ever sold at auction.
