Pierre Bonnard (1867–1947) was a French painter and printmaker who was a founding member of the Post-impressionist avant-garde group know as Les Nabis. Les Nabis is a combination of impression and art nouveu. Bonnard preferred to work solely from memory, giving his work a dreamlike quality.
Born to a prominent official of the French Ministry of War, he led a carefree and happy childhood. Although he received a degree in classics and law, he decided to become an artist. In 1891 he began showing his work, and became part of Le Nabis. At this point his paintings, posters, book illustrations, and set designs put him on the art map. Known for his intense use of color, he builds his paintings with areas of small brush marks in close values. He often used complex compositions of his daily surroundings that were narrative and autobiographical. His work sold well throughout his lifetime, and he died right before his 80th birthday.
Self-Portrait, 1889 / The Letter, 1906 / Cats on the Railing, 1909
