Description
In his paintings drawings and prints, Pierre Bonnard brought an intimacy as well as an opulent wit to the Parisian scene, transforming the street corner, middle-class parlour, or farmyard into his own charming imagery. Here, with a series of rapid, loose strokes, he has caught the movement of pigs, roosters, and goats, who strut around as if they were human.
Provenance
Bequeathed by William McCormick Blair (1884-1982), Chicago, to the Art Institute, 1982.
Sketches for a Natural History (Histoires naturelles) (recto); Rooster (verso)
c. 1904
Accession Number
113920
Medium
Brush and black ink with red pastel (recto), and brush and black ink (verso), offset on cream wove paper
Dimensions
49.9 × 31.9 cm (19 11/16 × 12 9/16 in.)
Classification
pen and ink drawings
Credit Line
Bequest of William McCormick Blair
Background & Context
Background Story
Pierre Bonnard's double-sided Sketches for a Natural History shows animal studies with a rooster on the verso.
Cultural Impact
Bonnard's natural history sketches show his engagement with nature.
Why It Matters
This shows Bonnard's studies of animals.