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Jean Renoir, director

Richard Avedon

Artwork Details

Jean Renoir, director
1972; printed 1975
Richard Avedon
gelatin silver print on paper
16 x 15 7/8 in. (42.07 x 40.32 cm); ; ;28 in x 22 in (71.12 cm x 55.88 cm);15 3/4 in x 15 1/4 in (40.01 cm x 38.74 cm)
Museum Purchase
1977/1.159

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Description

Subject Matter:

This is a portrait of Jean Renoir, the French film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and author. He was also the son of the painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. 
This portrait is representative of Avedon's approach to studio portraiture, which employed flat light and a white background in an isolated environment. Avedon's approach revealed every vivid detail of the sitter's face. Renoir gazes beyond the frame with lips pursed, appearing at once contemplative and subdued. Avedon stated that each sitter puts on a performance before the camera while insisting that the photographs are fictions created by the photographer. 

Physical Description:

This photographic portrait of a man shows him in dark clothing, before a white background. The composition is cropped at the shoulders.

Usage Rights:

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