Bonnard

World of Art

by Timothy Hyman

Bonnard found early fame among the Nabis, the radical young disciples of Gauguin, and went on with Vuillard to create a new intimist art of psychologically charged interiors. But from 1900 he turned back toward Impressionism, and his art recreates moments of heightened subjectivity, color and space. This new account shows how these beautiful and lyrical pictures sometimes emerged from terrible circumstances; as Bonnard himself wrote shortly before his death in 1947, "one does not always sing out of happiness." Bonnard's reassessment over the past thirty years has centered on the extraordinary late pictures that were inspired by Mallarme and Symbolism, by Jarry and anarchism, and by the philosophy of Bergson. These works are among some of the most enduring images of the twentieth century. 169 illus., 50 in color.

Genres: Art, Art History, Biography, Nonfiction

226 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

About the author

Timothy Hyman RA is a British figurative painter, art writer and curator. He has published monographs on both Sienese Painting and on Pierre Bonnard, as well as most recently The World New Made: Figurative Painting in the Twentieth Century. He has written extensively on art and film, has been a regular contributor to The Times Literary Supplement and has curated exhibitions at the Tate, Institute of Contemporary Arts and Hayward galleries. Hyman is a portraitist, but is best known for his narrative renditions of London. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Max Beckmann and Bonnard, as well as Lorenzetti and Brueghel, he explores his personal relationship, both real and mythological, with the city where he lives and works. He employs vivid colours, shifting scale and perspectives, to create visionary works. He was elected an RA in 2011.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timothy Hyman's intelligent, nimble and generous account of Bonnard's work, life and chronology is as enjoyable as it is readable. What a writer, and what a critic! Hyman's poetic and sophisticated prose makes a perfect companion for Bonnard's elusive and mysterious paintings.