Description:

Auguste Renoir
n.p., ca. 1878-1881
Renoir Writes to Charles Ephrussi, Featured in Famous Painting "Luncheon of the Boating Party"
ALS

Superb association autograph letter signed "A. Renoir". N.d. but ca. 1878-1881. In French to "M. Charles," namely Charles Ephrussi, the art patron and friend of Renoir who is featured in one of his most beloved works, "Luncheon of the Boating Party." Exhibits light and scattered foxing, light offsetting to edges and a few trivial chips at right margin. Overall, very good condition. 1p. 5.25" x 8.25".

In most part: "My fear friend, Impossible to have lunch. I'm at Versailles but as I know that you are leaving this evening, I would like to shake your hand before your departure. I will come between 5 and 6.30. All the best and have an excellent trip…".

Renoir's correspondent is Charles Ephrussi (1849-1905), a prominent Russian-Jewish art critic and collector. A member of the influential Ephrussi family who made their fortune in grain and later, in banking, Charles lived in Paris, where he began to collect and write about art in the 1870s. His publication Gazette des Beaux-Arts, made him an influential figure in the art world, whose patronage was sought-after by contemporary artists and galleries. At around 1880, Ephruzzi became interested in the Impressionists and subsequently amassed a collection of some 40 paintings by the exemplars of the style such as Monet, Degas and, of course, Renoir.

Renoir introduced himself to Ephrussi in 1878 by inviting him to view his painting "Madame Charpentier and Her Children." Ephrussi was impressed with the portrait and subsequently introduced Renoir to number of wealthy Jewish patrons. Renoir dedicated much of 1880 and 1881 to painting portraits of Ephrussi's friends and family. For himself, Charles Ephrussi was memorialized in Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party" (1881), now widely considered one of the most famous French paintings of modern times. Ephrussi appears in it as the top-hatted man with his back to the viewer, talking with Jules Laforgue, a poet, critic, and Ephrussi's personal secretary.

By the end of 1881, however, Renoir and Ephrussi had a falling-out, ironically over one of his most popular paintings, "Pink and Blue." The portrait of two young girls had been commissioned by Ephrussi's mistress, Louise Cahen d'Anvers. Although Louise liked Renoir's other portraits of children, she disliked the portrait of her own daughters, and made Renoir aware of feelings. Renoir, bitter about Louise's criticism of the painting as well as what he perceived to be a miserly sum for its commission, denounced Louise, Ephrussi and the entire Jewish art patrons in a series of vitriolic letters. He then stormed from Paris in 1883 to scour European capitals for inspiration with which he would eventually distance his new works from those accomplished for his former patron and circle of benefactors.

Despite the future rancor, Renoir's short relationship with Ephrussi and his circle left its mark: the painter adopted aspects of his former patrons' taste in classical painting in his new works, and also unveiled his painting "Large Bathers" (1887) at the Galerie Georges Petit, associated with Ephrussi.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 5.25" x 8.25"
  • Medium: ALS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

June 4, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000