M. Schenck Collection, Sarre, Germany
Galerie Wolfgang Ketterer, Munich
Galerie Odermatt-Cazeau, Paris
Private Collection, France (sale: Sotheby's, London, 28th November 1989, lot 35)
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Guy-Patrice & Michel Dauberville, Renoir. Catalogue raisonné des tableaux, pastels, dessins et aquarelles, 1882-1894, Paris, 2009, vol. II, no. 854, illustrated p. 130 (titled Eglise au bord de la mer and as dating from 1890)

The canvas is not lined. Examination under UV light reveals some scattered spots of retouching to the sky, primarily to the left of the church spire, and two spots of retouching towards the lower right corner. There are some tiny scattered flecks of retouching within the lower left quadrant. There are some minor spots of pigment loss at the extreme edges consistent with frame abrasion and some very minor craquelure visible in places. This work is in overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Painted circa 1880, Village au bord de la mer - église à Varengeville is a luminous vision of the church and cliffs of Varengeville situated on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. The Norman coast was one of the great sources of inspiration to the Impressionists but it was Renoir that made Varengeville his own. Located on the Norman coast near Dieppe, Varengeville is near to the Château de Wargemont owned by Renoir's friend and patron Paul Bérard. Having been introduced to Bérard in 1879, a successful businessman and ambassadorial secretary, Renoir spent much of the summer of 1879 and 1880 at his new friend's château, frequently returning throughout Bérard's life to escape the bustle of urban Paris. Bérard had previously been seeking an artist to paint his daughter's portrait. On the recommendation of Charles Deudon, one of Renoir's early patrons, he commissioned the artist and invited him to Wargemont. This marked the beginning of a friendship that lasted until the end of Bérard's life. During Renoir's stays at Wargremont, he created an array of pictures, including portraits and mural decorations. He would also come to create a string of landscapes showing the beauty of the Norman coast, such as Village au bord de la mer - église à Varengeville.



This work will be included in the forthcoming Renoir Digital Catalogue raisonné, currently being prepared under the sponsorship of the Wildenstein Plattner Institute, Inc.