"Women with a Dog", P. Bonnard, 1891
Seeing the wonderful Bonnard exhibit this spring, I was struck by the darling dogs in so many of his paintings. These sweet pups were clearly an important part of the family life that was a leading motif throughout Bonnard's work.
"Woman with Dog", P. Bonnard, 1922
Sometimes dogs feature prominently in Bonnard's paintings, as in the first two images here. The top painting, a very early Bonnard, shows the artist's own furry dog "Ravageau". Don't you just want to cuddle up with him? Ravageau also appears in the painting below, jumping for joy while out with his mistress.
"Woman in a White Polka Dot Dress", P. Bonnard, 1984
In other paintings, Bonnard's dogs are more peripheral to the overall composition--literally and figuratively. Sometimes we just catch a pup in profile, at the edge of the canvas. You might even have to look hard to find him. But his presence adds a bit of humor or domesticity to the work.
"The French Window with a Dog", P. Bonnard, 1927
These painted pets also play an important compositional role. They are often placed just so, to direct your eye around the painting. That is noticeably so in "The French Window with a Dog" immediately above. See how the dog's head directs our gaze from inside to outside? A masterful device.
"The Bathroom", P. Bonnard, 1932
Whether prominent or peripheral, Bonnard's dogs always add warmth to his paintings. They are lively additions--memorably and wonderfully captured. One early critic (Francois-Joachim Beer) even described the "hilarious dogs that [Bonnard] could draw like no one else." Dog lovers, enjoy!
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