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This painting, titled The Dining Room in the Country, was the work of a nineteenth century French artist, Pierre Bonnard. Bonnard was born into a well to do family just outside of Paris. Bonnard first studied law at a Parisian liberal arts school. Soon after, Bonnard and a few colleagues formed a society called the Nabis.
While working as a civil servant in Paris, Bonnard entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Here he began studying art at a high level. This education did not influence Bonnard’s work, and is more so a place he made friends.
After Bonnard failed his civil service exam, he rented his first studio. His work ranged from paintings, to textile design, to screen painting, and even puppets.
In 1983 Bonnard met his future wife, Maria Bonnard. Most of his paintings reflect her and are much more personal.
At the turn of the century Bonnard began venturing away from the city and more towards the countryside. Much of his landscape work took place here. I believe that this painting is from the French countryside.
Bonnard continued to develop his own style and rejected the ideas of Fauvism and Cubism, among several others.
Bonnard continued to travel and create art until his wife died in 1942. From then on he became a recluse and died in 1947.
I think that the story behind this image is greatly influenced by Bonnard’s trips to the French countryside. This painting was completed in 1913, right around the time Bonnard was into his landscape and countryside paintings. I don’t know who the person in the painting is, maybe his wife – for it was common for him to use her in some of his paintings. I do believe that this painting is trying to capture, and successfully does so, the beauty and serenity of the country. The colors are vivid and the content of the painting is very static. It is very enjoyable to look at.
I think that this painting is timeless. When I examine this painting’s content, I am clueless as to what time period it came from. It is a place that people still escape to today. It still exists and is coveted by some who want to get away from the fast paced society often found in cities. There isn’t much movement in this painting and that is very literal in what feeling it is giving off.
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