Signed Renoir lower right

During his later years in life Renoir was increasingly influenced by the crippling effects of arthritis. As a result Renoir turned to subjects which could be executed within the studio: figure subjects, portraits and still-lifes. By the late 1890's Renoir had recommended to Jules Manet that he should paint such subjects "in order to teach yourself to paint quickly". This is illustrated by the sureness of the long, gestural strokes to define the fish in this still-life. Renoir also recognised that still-lifes were being demanded by collectors in both France and abroad. This work was owned by his cataloguer, Ambroise Vollard.