If you’re in need of brightening up this winter, there’s no better place to go than The National Gallery of Victoria’s Winter Masters Exhibition: BONNARD designed by India Mahdavi. It’s a celebration of flamboyance and vibrancy. The innovative design creates a settling of colour and texture that compliments the liveliness and feeling of the works.
Backdrops to the works on display include furnishings, rugs and wall paper all pairing together to make this exhibition a unique experience
The exhibition showcases more than 100 works by Bonnard that include domestic interiors, natural landscapes and urban scenes. Colour and light radiate from the works leaving you to feel happy and energised.
Centre Pompidou, Paris, Musée national d’art moderne-Centre de création industrielle
On deposit at Musée des Beaux-Arts et d’Archéologie de Besançon since 1972 Gift of Adèle and George Besson, 1963 Photo © Centre Pompidou
Two early works feature Bonnard’s lifelong companion, Marthe de Méligny, who was an inspirational model for Bonnard. Exhibited against lively wallpaper they show intimate scenes featuring Marthe de Méligny with her face turned to protect her privacy. Bonnard has further used dappled brushwork to obscure her identity.
Oil on wood Musee D’Orsay Paris Gift of Zeineb & Jeans-Pierre Marcie-Riviere, 2011
Siesta (La Sieste) 1900 Oil on Canvas National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Felton bequest 1949
Along with paintings of urban scenes, domestic interiors and open landscapes, the exhibition showcases lithographs as well as Bonnard’s adoption of photography.
La Revue blanche 1894 color lithograph Art Gallery of NSW Sydney Purchased. 1978
Bonnard used a shutter release cable for his self portraits using a roll-filled Kodak camera.
The exhibition is on until 8 October 2023 and provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Bonnard’s work in a unique and exciting setting. Details can be found here