Fruit and Fruit Dishes

c. 1930

Pierre Bonnard

(French, 1867–1947)

France, 20th century

oil on canvas

Unframed: 59.9 x 70.1 cm (23 9/16 x 27 5/8 in.)

Nancy F. and Joseph P. Keithley Collection Gift 2020.100

Location: 223 20th Century Avant-Garde

This artwork is known to be under copyright.

Did You Know?

Bonnard loved dogs and owned dachshunds throughout his life. He invariably named his dogs "Poucette."

Description

Dining scenes are a recurrent theme in Bonnard’s paintings. While the locations changed throughout his career, there were several constants: artfully arranged still lifes, white tablecloths that seem to glow with kaleidoscopic color, and the presence of a close circle of family and friends that often included canine and feline members of the household. Here, a compotier, or long-stemmed dish, of fruit presides at the center of the table, joined by a carafe, two wine glasses, and several dishes displaying cherries, plums, oranges, and a round of cheese. At the bottom left edge, is a profile of a cat who stares down a dachshund on the right.