ART AFICIONADO: Pierre Bonnard

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Pierre Bonnard

Art Appreciation

Pierre Bonnard, a notable figure in the art world, is celebrated for his significant contributions to the evolution of modern painting, particularly for his distinctive approach to color and light.

Born on October 3, 1867, in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France, Bonnard displayed early artistic talent in drawing and watercolors. Despite his inclination towards art, he pursued a law license to satisfy his father. However, he didn't pass the examination to become an officially registered lawyer.

His true passion was art. While studying law, he attended art classes at the Académie Julian in Paris, forging enduring friendships with fellow artists like Paul Sérusier, Maurice Denis, Gabriel Ibels, and Paul Ranson. Together, they formed Les Nabis, a group of avant-garde painters inspired by Post-Impressionism and Symbolism.

Afterwards, Bonnard enrolled in the influential École des Beaux-Arts and achieved his first commercial art sale to France-Champagne. In 1891, he met the French painter Toulouse-Lautrec, exhibited his work at the annual Société des Artistes Indépendants exhibition, and showcased alongside fellow Les Nabis artists at Le Barc de Boutteville.

A significant muse for Bonnard's art was Marthe de Méligny, whom he married in 1925. His renowned works often featured Marthe in various stages of undress or bathing, revealing a sensual and voyeuristic quality while exploring the interplay of color and light. The inclusion of mirrors and reflections added depth to the compositions, underscoring the fleeting nature of beauty and the passage of time.

Bonnard's artistic style was greatly influenced by a major exposition of works by Utamaro and Hiroshige, Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock print artists, at the Durand-Ruel Gallery. This experience shaped his evolving style, transitioning from bold, flat colors and simplified forms to a focus on color as a primary mode of expression during the early 20th century.

Despite his talent and significant contributions, Bonnard remained somewhat overshadowed by contemporaries like Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. Nevertheless, his work began to receive well-deserved recognition in his later years. In 1938, he was honored with the prestigious Carnegie Prize, and in 1948, a major retrospective of his work was featured at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The legacy of Pierre Bonnard endures and holds profound significance. His pioneering use of color and light has made a lasting impression on the art world, inspiring countless painters and influencing movements such as Fauvism and aspects of American Abstract Expressionism.