Self-Portrait by the Artist
- Original dimensions
- 50 x 65 cm
- Museum
- Not specified
- Year
- 1930
Scene depicted
This canvas reveals not only the face of the artist but also his inner world. Bonnard, with a subtle color palette, recomposes the elements that are dear to him, between shadows and lights, between soft lines and soothing contours. Each brushstroke tells a story, that of the commitment and sensitivity of the man in the face of his art, making this painting a true reflection on oneself.
Historical context
Created in 1930, this painting emanates from the rich colors and emotions of the post-impressionist movement. It was during this time, as art and daily life intertwined in the streets of Paris, that Bonnard, one of the masters of light and color, fully distinguished himself. This canvas , although not currently exhibited in a known museum, captures the very essence of a vibrant and introspective era.
Place in the artist's career
Situated at the crossroads of his creative periods, this painting marks a turning point in Bonnard's career, positioned between his luminous work Les Nymphéas and his abstract La Terrasse à Vernon . Here, we see the artist developing his introspective and colorful approach, reflecting an evolution in his style, where each canvas becomes a window into his artist's soul.
Anecdote
“I do not paint what I see, but what I feel,” said Bonnard about his masterpiece . As he stood at his window one spring morning, the artist caught sight of his own reflection, illuminated by the soft rays of the sun. This fleeting moment gave birth to a painting imbued with delicacy and depth, capturing his inner essence through the prism of light.