Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947)

Pierre Bonnard was a French painter, illustrator, and printmaker who became a leading figure in the transition from Impressionism to modernism. Born in Fontenay-aux-Roses near Paris, he initially studied law before following his artistic passion at the Académie Julian.

In the late 1880s, Bonnard became a founding member of Les Nabis (“the prophets”), an avant-garde group influenced by Paul Gauguin’s symbolism and Japanese woodblock prints. During this period, he created innovative posters, illustrations, and lithographs, including work for the cultural magazine La Revue Blanche.

Though associated with the Nabis until around 1900, Bonnard developed his distinctive style characterized by vibrant colors, complex compositions, and a unique handling of light. His subjects often included intimate domestic interiors, gardens, and landscapes, frequently featuring his longtime companion and eventual wife, Marthe de Méligny.

After 1909, Bonnard divided his time between Paris and the French Riviera, where the Mediterranean light inspired many of his later works. Unlike his contemporaries who embraced more radical abstraction, Bonnard remained committed to working from memory and imagination rather than direct observation, creating richly colored, dreamlike paintings that explored the boundaries between representation and abstraction.

Despite his quiet, private nature, Bonnard’s influence on modern art was profound. His innovative use of color and composition influenced several generations of artists, and his work continues to be celebrated for its sensual beauty and psychological depth.