University confirms renoir drawing is an original work

The University of Heidelberg confirmed that a pencil drawing by French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir is an authentic work rather than a forgery.

The artwork, which depicts actress Amelie Diéterle and dates back to 1899, was previously thought to be a fake after appearing during the liquidation of a household. Professor Henry Keazor, the founder of the Heidelberg Forgery Study Collection, explained that experts used paper and microscope analyses to identify the piece as a hand-signed trial print.

This specific type of work is very rare in the art trade. Keazor noted that Renoir likely added the signature by hand with black grease crayon because the signature was not present on one of the two printing stones used for the lithograph. The university did not provide a specific value for the drawing, though Keazor mentioned that a similar trial print sold for 15,275 dollars in 2000.

The piece will be displayed for the first time at the Kurpfälzisches Museum Heidelberg from November 26 to March 21, 2027. Following the exhibition, the university will decide on the future of the graphic work in coordination with its previous owner.