Bonhams has announced an online auction titled “A Lasting Impression,” featuring 21 previously unseen or little-known paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. These works originate from the personal collection of Gabrielle Renard, the artist’s longtime muse and his children's nanny, who sat for the Impressionist master nearly 200 times. The sale, scheduled for May 10–20, includes intimate portraits of Renard, landscapes, and a floral still life, with estimates ranging from $220,000 to $700,000.
This collection is significant due to its impeccable provenance and the personal relationship between the artist and the owner. Renard was a foundational figure in the Renoir household, influencing both the artist's late style and the creative development of his son, filmmaker Jean Renoir. The appearance of these "fresh-to-market" works follows a recent $2 million sale of a related Renoir painting at Drouot, signaling a robust appetite for works that offer a direct, domestic glimpse into the life of the Impressionist legend.