Pierre Bonnard Original Early 20th Century Antique French Art Nouveau Avant- Garde Post Impressionist Les Nabis Countryside Paysage Landscape Fine Art Oil Painting
Pierre Bonnard, (1867-1947), original early 20th century antique French Art Nouveau avant-garde Les Nabi countryside (paysage), landscape fine art oil painting, circa 1914. The painting is oil on canvas and is signed lower center, and verso, as well as the date of 1914/15. The signature on the front of the painting is much more visible, due to age of the canvas, and discoloration verso. The painting measures approximately 7.5" X 10.5" and is in excellent original condition, with no prior overpaints or chemical cleanings. Older unfinished nails were used to stretch the canvas to the wooden stretcher bars, verso. All paint present is original; there does not appear to be any paint loss. Please review the images for a full condition report.
Pierre Bonnard, (1867-1947), a French painter, illustrator, and printmaker, is renowned for his vibrant use of color and stylized decorative qualities in his artwork. He was born on October 3, 1867, in Fontenay-aux-Roses, Hauts-de-Seine, France. As a founding member of the Post-Impressionist group Les Nabis, Bonnard played a significant role in the transition from Impressionism to Modernism.
During his early years, Bonnard's work was strongly influenced by artists like Paul Gauguin and Japanese printmakers such as Hokusai. He explored various subjects, including landscapes, urban scenes, portraits, and intimate domestic moments. In his paintings, the backgrounds, colors, and painting style often took precedence over the subject matter itself.
Bonnard received his education at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand and Lycée Charlemagne in Vanves. While studying law, he attended art classes at the Académie Julian in Paris, where he met other influential artists like Paul Sérusier, Maurice Denis, Gabriel Ibels, and Paul Ranson. In 1888, he was accepted into the École des Beaux-Arts and sold his first commercial artwork, a poster design for France-Champagne, which helped convince his family of his artistic potential.
In his personal life, Bonnard lived with Marthe de Méligny, who became his muse and the subject of many of his paintings. They married in 1925, but before their marriage, Bonnard had relationships with other women who also served as models for his artwork. He was known for his cheerful and unaffiliated demeanor among the Nabis group of artists.
Bonnard's style was influenced by Japanese graphic arts, which is evident in his use of multiple perspectives and bold geometric patterns. He also delved into decorative art, designing furniture, fabrics, fans, and other objects. His artistic pursuits extended beyond painting, as he created lithographs and illustrations for books and music compositions.
Throughout the early 20th century, Bonnard continued to refine his style and explore new subjects and mediums while maintaining the distinct characteristics of his work. He participated in exhibitions, had personal expositions, and received retrospective showcases of his artwork. In 1947, a week before his death, he completed his final painting, "The Almond Tree in Blossom."
Pierre Bonnard passed away on January 23, 1947, in Le Cannet, on the French Riviera. His artistic legacy lives on, and his work continues to be celebrated worldwide. The Museum of Modern Art in New York City organized a retrospective of his work in 1948, which was originally intended to commemorate his 80th birthday.
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