Pierre Bonnard (1867–1947) was a French painter and printmaker associated with the Nabis group, known for their Post-Impressionist style. Born in Fontenay-aux-Roses, Bonnard’s art depicted intimate scenes of everyday life with vibrant colors and flattened perspectives.

Bonnard’s oeuvre largely focused on domestic settings, landscapes, and still lifes. His paintings, characterized by rich hues and decorative qualities, often portrayed moments of quiet contemplation, infused with warmth and nostalgia. He was adept at capturing fleeting moments, employing unconventional compositions to evoke intimacy and immediacy.

Bonnard’s experimentation with light and color was notable, as he used vibrant tones and subtle variations to convey mood and atmosphere. His works exhibited a balance between representation and abstraction, inviting viewers to interpret their meanings subjectively.

In addition to painting, Bonnard was proficient in printmaking, creating lithographs and etchings that mirrored his painterly style. These graphic works emphasized color, light, and composition, showcasing his innovative approach to image-making.

Although Bonnard’s recognition grew posthumously, he is now esteemed as one of the leading painters of the early 20th century. His mastery of color and ability to capture the beauty of everyday life have cemented his legacy in the annals of modern art. Bonnard’s art continues to inspire admiration for its emotive depth and artistic innovation, making him a pivotal figure in the development of 20th-century painting.

Pierre Bonnard Quotes

1. “It’s not a matter of painting life, it’s a matter of giving life to painting.”
— Pierre Bonnard

2. “Imagination is merely the exploitation of our memory.”
— Pierre Bonnard

3. “Painting has to get back to its original goal, examining the inner lives of human beings.”
— Pierre Bonnard

4. “Art will never be able to exist without nature.”
— Pierre Bonnard

5. “It seemed to me that it was possible to translate light, forms, and character using nothing but color, without recourse to values.”
— Pierre Bonnard

6. “And after drawing comes composition. A well-composed painting is half done.”
— Pierre Bonnard

7. “Drawing is feeling. Color is an act of reason.”
— Pierre Bonnard

8. “The important thing is to remember what most impressed you and to put it on canvas as fast as possible.”
— Pierre Bonnard

9. “Draw your pleasure, paint your pleasure, and express your pleasure strongly.”
— Pierre Bonnard

10. “I am just beginning to understand what it is to paint. A painter should have two lives, one in which to learn, and one in which to practice his art.”
— Pierre Bonnard

11. “What I am after is the first impression – I want to show all one sees on first entering the room – what my eye takes in at first glance.”
— Pierre Bonnard

12. “One always talks of surrendering to nature. There is also such a thing as surrendering to the picture.”
— Pierre Bonnard

13. “The painter’s only solid ground is the palette and colors, but as soon as the colors achieve an illusion, they are no longer judged.”
— Pierre Bonnard

14. “A painting that is well composed is half finished.”
— Pierre Bonnard

15. “The principal subject is the surface, which has its color, its laws over and above those of object.”
— Pierre Bonnard

16. “Work on the accent, it will enliven the whole.”
— Pierre Bonnard

17. “It is still color, it is not yet light.”
— Pierre Bonnard

18. “Speaking, when you have something to say, is like looking. But who looks? If people could see properly, and see whole, they would all be painters. And it’s because people have no idea how to look that they hardly ever understand.”
— Pierre Bonnard

19. “You cannot possibly invent painting all by yourself.”
— Pierre Bonnard

20. “You reason colour more than you reason drawing Colour has a logic as severe as form.”
— Pierre Bonnard

21. “One does not always sing out of happiness.”
— Pierre Bonnard