Jean Renoir Sewing

Curatorial Overview

“Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s son Jean, seen here, served as a model for his father from a young age. Renoir so loved the “silken gold” of his son’s long hair, then in fashion for little boys, that he insisted it remain long until Jean was seven, much to his embarrassment. Jean, later a prominent film director, recalled that the children’s nanny, Gabrielle, suggested that he keep himself occupied during the modeling session for this painting by sewing a satin coat for his toy camel.”