I was actually surprised to discover that the National Gallery of Art owns several Renoirs that are not on exhibition at this time. I am not sure all of what determines which painting is and is not exhibited [I think that much of it has to do with paintings on loan–probably also with a schedule of routine maintenance and cleaning of paintings]; but I believe that some of the Renoirs that I saw last September are not on exhibit this September –1 year later.
Woma with a Cat – Painted 1875 Currently Not On View – 18″ x 22″
Renoir is well-known for the sun-dappled, porcelain-like quality of the flesh that he painted.
One might assume that the painter was slow and deliberate when worky on these skin areas.
Notice the lack of detail in the eyes and ear.
Many do not realize that Renoir often abandoned that these painstaking strokes in other areas.
The strokes in the flower border are virtually abstract.
Your National Gallery of Art 