Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Bonnard's Dogs

 

"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!


"Dogs", lithograph on paper, P. Bonnard, 1893




 

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Vuillard and the Silhouette

"Interior with Women Sewing"
Oil on Canvas, 15 7/8 x 12 11/16 inches
Édouard Vuillard, 1893 


Faithful readers know that Édouard Vuillard is one of my favorite painters, and one who greatly inspires me.  I've been revisiting some of his work, and exploring his use of the silhouette.  Truly masterful!  


The top image is variously called "Interior with Women Sewing" or "L'Aiguilée" ("The Needle").  Oh, wow, I can just feel that hand with the needle pulling the thread taut.  The central figure has such a strong gesture.  There are actually three women in this painting, but the silhouettes of the ones on the left serve merely to bring you eye to the main actor in the center.  It's a masterpiece of composition and sparing use of shapes.


"Beneath the Lamp"
Oil on Canvas, 12 1/2 x 15 3/4 inches
Édouard Vuillard, 1892

The next one is also full of lessons for us lesser mortals.  There is a lot of "busy-ness" in the interior decor, but the power of the two female silhouettes create unity and harmony.  There are a lot of lost edges, where the women's silhouettes fade right into the darkness of the room.  As a result, only partial silhouettes remain.  And even then, they are so powerful!  I also think the silhouettes of the chairs are wonderful compositional tools.  They define the area of interest, and bring our eye in a circle. 


"Seamstress"
Oil on Panel, 9 1/4 x 13 1/2 inches
Édouard Vuillard, 1892-95


And the silhouette doesn't need to be blackened.  This last painting shows how a simple, un-modeled figure in silhouette can anchor a painting.  Again, the interior space is replete with details and small shapes of color.  Almost dizzying to the eye.  But the solid form of the central figure holds everything together.  Such a beautiful piece of magic.

If you are interested in more about silhouettes, and especially Vuillard's, check out this post from a few years ago.  Happy reading! 





Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Museum Moment!