Study of Heads (Étude de têtes)

Study of Heads (Étude de têtes), 1890, belongs to Renoir's practice of multiple-head studies on a single canvas—a traditional académie exercise adapted to his Impressionist aims. Placing several heads in proximity allowed him to explore related but varied flesh tones, hair colours, and facial expressions within a single compositional field, and such studies were useful preparatory work for multi-figure compositions. The Barnes Foundation holds this as evidence of his working process, and the 1890 date places it within his post-Ingres period when he was reconsolidating his figure drawing after the experimental 1880s.

Multiple heads require careful tonal differentiation to prevent them merging into a single mass. Renoir distinguishes them through varied flesh temperatures and hair colours while maintaining an overall warm, harmonious palette. The heads float against a loosely indicated background that provides tonal contrast without spatial specificity.