Pierre Bonnard Quotes

Powerful Pierre Bonnard for Daily Growth

About Pierre Bonnard

Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) was a prominent French artist who played a significant role in the development of Post-Impressionism and Symbolism, ultimately influencing the evolution of Modern art. Born on October 3, 1867, in Fontenay-aux-Roses near Paris, Bonnard demonstrated an early interest in art. At age 16, he enrolled at École des Arts Décoratifs, where he honed his technical skills under the tutelage of painter Léon Bonnat. In 1888, Bonnard met Paul Gauguin and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who exposed him to Impressionism and helped shape his artistic style. He later became an integral member of the Nabis group (Hebrew for 'prophets'), a collection of artists influenced by Paul Gauguin's synthetist philosophy that emphasized symbolic, decorative, and flat forms. Throughout his career, Bonnard produced a vast body of work characterized by its vibrant color palette, fluid brushwork, and focus on intimate scenes from daily life. His artistic subjects ranged from still lifes to landscapes, but he is best known for his sensual and evocative images of women. Notable works include "The Mill" (1892), "The Bath" (1892), and the series "Women at the Theatre" (1890-1930). In 1912, Bonnard's work was featured in the Armory Show in New York City, which marked a significant turning point for modern art in America. Throughout his life, he continued to experiment with different styles and techniques while maintaining a deep connection to nature and personal experiences. Pierre Bonnard passed away on January 23, 1947, leaving behind an indelible legacy that continues to inspire artists today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment."

Pierre Bonnard's quote suggests a deep personal connection to color as both an inspiring force (obsession, joy) and a source of struggle (torment). The artist expresses that he is persistently intrigued by the use of color in his work, finding it not only pleasurable but also challenging. This quote reveals Bonnard's passion for creating art through the manipulation of colors, as well as the effort and dedication required to achieve his desired visual effects.


"I like a certain chaos in painting, something that is not absolutely under control."

Pierre Bonnard appreciated a degree of unpredictability and spontaneity in his art, suggesting that he found beauty in elements that were not strictly controlled or rigidly structured. This approach invites the viewer to engage with the painting on multiple levels, finding their own connections within the seemingly chaotic composition. This style is a testament to Bonnard's unique artistic vision and innovative approach to art-making.


"Art is never finished, only abandoned."

Pierre Bonnard's quote "Art is never finished, only abandoned" suggests that an artist's work is not completed due to a lack of perfection or flawlessness, but rather because the artist decides to move on. It implies that art is a continuous process, with creativity evolving and improving over time, and that the decision to 'abandon' a piece is often more about progress than completion. The quote underscores the idea that an artwork is never truly finished; instead, it represents a snapshot of the artist's creative journey at a particular moment in time.


"What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and radiance - where colored shapes with sumptuous yet restrained modulations contrast delightfully with the cool simplicity of lines."

Pierre Bonnard's quote illustrates his artistic vision that combines harmony, clarity, and vibrancy. He seeks an art form balanced between bold, colorful shapes and elegant, understated line work. The radiance and sumptuousness in colors contrast with the simplicity of lines creates a delightful aesthetic experience for the viewer. This quote highlights Bonnard's pursuit of artistic beauty that is both rich and refined.


"I want to paint the way a moonbeam dances on a still pond or the way a leaf trembles in the wind."

This quote by Pierre Bonnard reflects his desire to capture, through painting, the delicate, ephemeral beauty found in everyday, seemingly ordinary moments. The "moonbeam dancing on a still pond" and the "leaf trembling in the wind" are metaphors for capturing the graceful dance of light or movement in nature's simple gestures, thereby elevating them to something extraordinary. In essence, Bonnard seeks to transform everyday scenes into art that evokes a sense of calm, tranquility, and wonder.


Work on the accent, it will enliven the whole.

- Pierre Bonnard

Work, Will, Whole, Accent

The precision of naming takes away from the uniqueness of seeing.

- Pierre Bonnard

Brainy, Seeing, Away, Naming

You cannot possibly invent painting all by yourself.

- Pierre Bonnard

Painting, Cannot, Invent, Possibly

One always talks of surrendering to nature. There is also such a thing as surrendering to the picture.

- Pierre Bonnard

Nature, Always, Talks, Surrendering

I should like to present myself to the young painters of the year 2000 with the wings of a butterfly.

- Pierre Bonnard

Young, Year, Like, Butterfly

You reason color more than you reason drawing... Color has a logic as severe as form.

- Pierre Bonnard

Color, Reason, Form, Severe

I'm trying to do what I have never done - give the impression one has on entering a room: one sees everything and at the same time nothing.

- Pierre Bonnard

Give, Nothing, Same Time, Entering

A painting that is well composed is half finished.

- Pierre Bonnard

Art, Painting, Half, Composed

Color does not add a pleasant quality to design - it reinforces it.

- Pierre Bonnard

Color, Design, Add, Quality

Draw your pleasure, paint your pleasure, and express your pleasure strongly.

- Pierre Bonnard

Art, Pleasure, Strongly, Draw

When you forget everything, there only remains yourself - and that is not enough.

- Pierre Bonnard

Yourself, Forget, Only, Remains

The important thing is to remember what most impressed you and to put it on canvas as fast as possible.

- Pierre Bonnard

Remember, Important, Most, Canvas

Art will never be able to exist without nature.

- Pierre Bonnard

Art, Never, Will, Exist

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