Still LIfe with Earthenware Dish 1918

Pierre Bonnard painted Still Life with Earthenware Dish, with oil on canvas, likely in the early 20th century. Bonnard was a founding member of the Post-Impressionist group of avant-garde artists Les Nabis. Rejecting the pure opticality of the Impressionists, the Nabis explored the expressive potential of simplified forms and subjective color. As you can see here, Bonnard was drawn to intimate domestic scenes. Look at how he renders the ordinary objects of middle-class life: fruit, baskets, and dishes, all casually arranged on a patterned tablecloth. This painting reflects the changing social conditions of France at the turn of the century as the Industrial Revolution led to a growing middle class with more leisure time and disposable income. Artists like Bonnard focused on the private sphere of family and home life, celebrating the beauty of everyday moments. Understanding the context in which this painting was made helps us appreciate its significance, and by consulting letters, diaries, and contemporary writings we can learn more about the social and institutional forces that shaped this artwork.