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The Square at Evening (Place le soir)

Pierre Bonnard

European Art

The first decade of Pierre Bonnard’s career was largely defined by his graphic output, from posters and playbills to suites such as Some Aspects of Parisian Life, published by Ambroise Vollard. In the suite’s twelve prints, four of which are shown here, the artist intentionally focused on familiar occurrences and the day-to-day reality of urban life rather than famous landmarks, portraying a Paris that is both intimate and expansive. Such Parisian street views stem from a long tradition of French printmaking, yet Bonnard’s versions of the bustling city are strikingly modern. Using a sophisticated palette and abstracted forms that seem to collapse near and far space, he captured the crowded anonymity and momentary encounters and glimpses that define urban life.
MEDIUM Color lithograph on wove paper
  • Place Made: France
  • DATES 1897–1898
    DIMENSIONS Image: 11 1/16 x 15 in. (28.1 x 38.1 cm) Sheet: 15 15/16 x 21 1/16 in. (40.5 x 53.5 cm)  (show scale)
    SIGNATURE Signed, "P. Bonnard" lower right in pencil
    INSCRIPTIONS Lower right in graphite: "Bonnard"
    COLLECTIONS European Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.389
    CREDIT LINE By exchange
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Pierre Bonnard (French, 1867–1947). The Square at Evening (Place le soir), 1897–1898. Color lithograph on wove paper, Image: 11 1/16 x 15 in. (28.1 x 38.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, By exchange, 37.389. © artist or artist's estate (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.389_transp1332.jpg)
    STATE III/III
    EDITION Edition: 100
    IMAGE overall, 37.389_transp1332.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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