Bonnard, Pierre, << baw NAHR, pyair >> (1867-1947), was a French painter and graphic artist. In his paintings, Bonnard used vivid colors and rich textures, which give his works a sense of luxury. He particularly liked combinations of orange and yellow, pinks, lavenders, and blues. Bonnard preferred interior scenes bathed in radiant light. Many of these scenes have figures and an open window looking out over an exotic landscape.
The French painter Paul Gauguin and several other artists influenced Bonnard. He was also influenced by Japanese screen paintings and the art of popular posters. He adopted the flat compositional design and decorative quality typical of these art forms. Bonnard also became noted for his etchings and lithographs.
Bonnard was born in Fontenay-aux-Roses on Oct. 3, 1867. In 1888, he entered the Academie Julian, an art school in Paris. There, he joined with several artists, including Maurice Denis, Paul Serusier, and Edouard Vuillard, in forming a group called the nabis. Bonnard died on Jan. 27, 1947.
