Pierre Bonnard: Early and Late

This major presentation of the work of Pierre Bonnard follows a new line of enquiry reconciling what has previously been seen as two distinct early and creative periods: the Nabis or symbolist Bonnard and the later so-called Impressionist or colorist Bonnard. By uniting representative works from all periods of Bonnard’s life, this book chart’s the artist’s singular pathway and illustrates his highly independent artistic vision. The 130 works illustrated here, including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, and sculpture, show that Bonnard continually experimented with alternative media and drew from a range of sources, both Eastern and Western.

The 130 works here illustrated, including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs and sculpture, show that Bonnard continually experimented with alternative media and drew from a range of sources, both Eastern and Western. Above all, the book demonstrates Bonnard's overriding and lifelong interest in colour. Three introductory essays explore diverse aspects of Bonnard's work: his aesthetic innovations in light and colour stemming from inventions in photography and film; the influence of Japonisme in his early and late work; and the critical role played by Bonnard's early formative education in Parisian Lycees.

The resulting volume, which accompanies an exhibition at The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C., and the Denver Art Museum, is essential for all lovers of the work of Pierre Bonnard and of great value to students and connoisseurs of the history of European modenism.