DISCOVERART

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Sailor Boy (Portrait of Robert Nunès)

1883
Oil on canvas
131 × 80 cm (51.6 × 31.5 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

● On view now — Collection Gallery, Room 09, East Wall

Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia · verified July 2026

View at barnesfoundation.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

The subject of this painting is Robert Nunès, the son of the mayor of a small town on the Normandy coast in France. Dressed in a sailor-boy outfit—a popular costume at the time for children of the well-to-do—he strikes a confident, almost arrogant, pose. Renoir was also commissioned to paint a portrait of Robert's sister, and apparently the siblings were challenging subjects. In a letter written at the time, Renoir reported that he was "busy with two brats who make me furious."

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

The Apple SellerThe Apple SellerMadame Léon ClapissonMadame Léon ClapissonNear the LakeNear the LakeLandscape with Woman in Pink and White (Paysage avec femme en rose et blanc)Landscape with Woman in Pink and White (Paysage avec femme eWoman in Red in a Landscape (Femme en rouge dans un paysage)Woman in Red in a Landscape (Femme en rouge dans un paysage)The Seine at Argenteuil (La Seine à Argenteuil)The Seine at Argenteuil (La Seine à Argenteuil)Children on the Seashore, Guernsey (Enfants au bord de la mer à Guernesey)Children on the Seashore, Guernsey (Enfants au bord de la meGirl at the Foot of a Tree (Fillette au pied d'un arbre)Girl at the Foot of a Tree (Fillette au pied d'un arbre)

More like this

Boy in a Blue CoatGeorge Bellows (American, 1882–1925) — Boy in a Blue CoatLenna with Basket of FlowersWilliam Glackens — Lenna with Basket of FlowersPeasant Standing with Arms Crossed (Paysan debout, les bras croisés)Paul Cézanne — Peasant Standing with Arms Crossed (Paysan deYoung Saint JohnBerthe Morisot (French, 1841–1895) — Young Saint JohnPortrait of a ChildCamille Corot — Portrait of a ChildBoy with a SwordEdouard Manet — Boy with a SwordBoy in a Red Vest (Le Garçon au gilet rouge)Paul Cézanne — Boy in a Red Vest (Le Garçon au gilet rouge)Michel Monet au chandail bleuClaude Monet — Michel Monet au chandail bleuBy the SeashoreAuguste Renoir — By the SeashoreChild Seated in an Armchair (Enfant assis dans un fauteuil)Pablo Picasso — Child Seated in an Armchair (Enfant assis daJean Monet (1867–1913) on His Hobby HorseClaude Monet — Jean Monet (1867–1913) on His Hobby HorseYoung Woman (La Servante)Auguste Renoir — Young Woman (La Servante)