Study for a Portrait of Vuillard

Art Historical Context

Pierre Bonnard’s *Study for a Portrait of Vuillard* (c. 1910) offers a rare glimpse into the close artistic circle of the Nabis, the group of French painters who sought to infuse everyday subjects with decorative color and emotional resonance. Bonnard, often called the “Nabi very Japanese” for his flattened forms and luminous palette, here turns his attention to his friend and fellow Nabi Édouard Vuillard. Painted on a modest wooden panel, the work captures the quiet intimacy that defined both artists’ approach to portraiture and domestic life in turn-of-the-century Paris. As its title indicates, this small oil sketch was preparatory, allowing Bonnard to explore pose, light, and the subtle play of tones before committing to a larger canvas. The choice of wood as a support lends a warm, tactile quality that complements Bonnard’s soft brushwork and interest in interior light. Now part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, the painting invites viewers to appreciate the thoughtful process behind Bonnard’s celebrated scenes of modern life.

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...