The artistic career of Pierre Bonnard began in 1888 with the sale of a commercial poster design for France-Champagne. This early professional success provided the necessary validation to pivot from a legal practice toward full-time engagement with visual arts, eventually marking him as a pivotal transition figure between Impressionism and Modernism in 20th-century France.
Early Education and Legal Training
Born in 1867 in Fontenay-aux-Roses, Bonnard received a traditional academic education at institutions including Lycée Condorcet, Lycée Louis-le-Grand, and Lycée Michelet in Vanves. While he displayed early aptitude for watercolors and drawing, he pursued a license in law at his father's insistence. By 1888, he held the credentials to practice law, though he soon abandoned this trajectory following his acceptance into the École des Beaux-Arts.
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During his studies at the Académie Julian, Bonnard connected with a circle of peers including Paul Sérusier, Maurice Denis, Gabriel Ibels, and Paul Ranson. This association led to the formation of Les Nabis, an avant-garde group defined by a departure from purely mimetic representation. Bonnard served as a key contributor to this collective, balancing decorative stylistic qualities with his own approach, often distinct from the more mystical inclinations of his colleagues.
Japanese Influence and Technical Range
Bonnard earned the moniker Le Nabi le trés japonard due to his profound engagement with Japanese graphic arts, facilitated by his exposure to works from Hokusai and other artists via Siegfried Bing’s gallery. This influence manifested in his preference for flat silhouettes and vertical composition, exemplified by his series Women in the garden. Beyond painting, his output included lithography, illustration, and sculpture, extending his reach into commercial design for fans, fabrics, and furniture.
International Scope and Later Life
Throughout his career, Bonnard maintained a broad geographic range of professional activity, producing work in Belgium, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Algeria, Tunisia, and Hamburg. His personal life was centered on his long-term partnership with Marthe de Méligny, whom he married in 1925. After a prolific life, he passed away in 1947 in Le Cannet and was interred at the Notre Dame des Anges Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1867, Fontenay-aux-Roses
- Died: 1947, Le Cannet
- Citizenship: France
- Key Movement: Les Nabis
- Notable Work: Dining Room in the Country
- Notable Work: Nude against the light
- Burial Site: Notre Dame des Anges Cemetery
- Education: Académie Julian
Questions readers ask
What was Bonnard's primary artistic contribution?
He was a leading figure in the transition from Impressionism to Modernism, recognized for his bold use of color and stylized decorative compositions.
Did Bonnard practice any profession other than painting?
Yes, he was also a sculptor, printmaker, lithographer, illustrator, and worked in commercial design.
Achievements
- Educated at Lycée Condorcet, Académie Julian and Lycée Louis-le-Grand
- Worked as painter, sculptor and printmaker
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