A Vision of Cats and Dogs: Bonnard and Animality

Animals were a primary source of inspiration and creative stimulation for the Nabi painter Pierre Bonnard (1867–1947): the theme can be found in about a third of the 2,300 paintings created by the artist over the course of his lengthy career. Ubu, Ravageau, Black and Almond were the names of a few of the canine companions that appear in his work; his cats, though never thus identified by name, also frequently populate his canvases. The appearance of other animals, such as horses, fish, chickens and cows, further testify to Bonnard’s fundamental affection for the creature world; but their presence in his paintings has never before been directly addressed.

This fully illustrated book examines this secret theme running throughout Bonnard’s oeuvre, and will prove a delightful revelation for fans of the intimiste master.