Policeman and Accused Man (Trial Version for Dingo)

Art Historical Context

Pierre Bonnard's *Policeman and Accused Man (Trial Version for Dingo)*, created in 1924, offers a rare glimpse into the French artist's illustrative work beyond his signature intimate domestic scenes. A leading figure in the Post-Impressionist group Les Nabis, Bonnard was renowned for his luminous colors and playful compositions, but here he applies his delicate touch to book illustration. This photogravure—a photomechanical intaglio process prized for its velvety tones and photographic precision—was produced as a trial proof for *Dingo*, a novel by Abel Bonnard (no relation). The drypoint remarque, a spontaneous etched annotation by the artist directly on the plate, marks it as a unique working state, cherished by collectors for its authenticity. Measuring a modest 31.8 x 24.7 cm on wove paper, the print captures a tense courtroom drama through Bonnard's economical linework and subtle shading. Photogravure allowed Bonnard to blend the fidelity of photography with the expressiveness of hand-drawn art, bridging modernism and tradition in interwar France. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Prints department as a gift from the Virginia and Ira Jackson Collection, this piece highlights Bonnard's versatility and the experimental spirit of early 20th-century printmaking. Visitors will appreciate its narrative intrigue—a stark contrast to the artist's usual sunlit idylls—revealing his skill in evoking human drama with quiet elegance.

About the Artist

Pierre Bonnard · 1867–1947

Pierre Bonnard (1867–1947) was a French painter and printmaker who became a leading figure in the Post-Impressionist movement and a founding member of Les Nabis. Born on October 3, 1867, in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France, Bonnard initially studied law at his father's insistence, graduating and briefly practicing as a barrister in 1888. However, his true passion lay in art, and he had simultaneously at...