Pierre Bonnard
Born in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France in 1867 into a middle class
family.
Bonnard belonged to a group called “The Nabis” which in
Hebrew means Prophets. Other members include Maurice Denis, Sěrusier
and Eduard Vuillard. Their aims were to move
away from Impressionism preferring to follow the lead of Gaughin.
Colour was the most important visual element to these
painters.
Many of Bonnard’s paintings were concerned with intimate
domestic interiors. He had an expressive use of colour and
pattern, simplifying shapes and expressing feelings through form.
He continued to paint using the same principals throughout his
life. However, after the First World War he looked back to the
Impressionist passion for light, infusing his paintings with
colour and contrasts.
Bonnard died in 1947 in Le Cannet, leaving a studio full of
unfinished paintings.
