The single largest archive of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s personally-owned objects – from his signature polka-dot scarf, which realized $3,750, to the most ambitious sculpture executed by Renoir and Richard Guino, La Grande Venus Victrix, temporarily stored in a shed after Renoir’s death, which realized $545,000 – led an expansive grouping dedicated to the Impressionist icon in Heritage Auctions’ The Renoir Estate Collection Signature Auction, September 19, 2013 in New York, which totaled $1,285,563.

“This collection provided an intimate glimpse inside the personal and professional life of Renoir,” said Brian Roughton, Managing Director of Fine Arts at Heritage Auctions, “and the worldwide interest generated by the event, and the significant prices realized, show that Renoir is still as relevant and beloved today as he has ever been.”

The widespread interest in the collection translated into spirited bidding across the auction, with a majority of lots, especially Renoir’s correspondence and personal papers, selling well in excess of their original estimates.

This museum-level collection is significant for its completeness in revealing volumes about Renoir, his art and his personal life. The Heritage event also represents the last time this collection will appear assembled ever again. 

Among the highlights of the 143 lots were Les Becasse (The Woodcocks) one of the – if not the – last paintings done by Renoir in the final hours of his life ($125,000), original copper engraving plates of Renoir works along with glass plate negatives of Renoir, his family, models and paintings ($35,000), Renoir’s spectacles ($6,250), and Renoir’s cigarette holder ($1,563).