Having been close friends with a number of artists in Paris at the time, Renoir created an intimate portrait of fellow artist Louis Valtat (1869-1952) who worked closely with Renoir and whom he traded art techniques with. Valtat was also an acquaintance of Ambroise Vollard, who was the first to suggest that Renoir use their mutual friend as a subject of a portrait. Seated in a relaxed and comfortable pose in a chair, Valtat is depicted in a casual suit with his right arm propped along the back of the chair, and his frame positioned slightly sideways in the seat. His prominent facial features, namely his chin and nose, are delicately shadowed and detailed. Renoir uses his overall talent and skill in portraiture to create this telling and revealing portrait of his close friend and colleague.

Created c. 1904, this work was published in a volume of 12 lithographs entitled 'L'Album des Douze Lithographies Originales de Pierre-Auguste Renoir'. Printed by Auguste Clot, Paris and published by Ambroise Vollard, this piece is signed in the stone 'Renoir' in the lower right. This piece is from the edition of 950 printed on vellum paper (total edition of 50 on Japan, 950 on vellum); from the only state.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
This work is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoice accompanying the final sale of the work).

1. Delteil, Loys. L'Oeuvre Gravé et Lithographié. San Francisco: Alan Wofsy Fine Arts LLC, 1999. Listed as catalogue no. 38 on pg. 82-83.

2. Stella, Joseph G. The Graphic Work of Renoir. 1962. Listed as catalogue no. 38.

3. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum grade conservation standards, this piece is framed in a complementary moulding with silk mats and optical grade Plexiglas.