Marchand des quatre-saisons c. 1897 - 1899

Editor: So, this is "Marchand des quatre-saisons," or "Merchant of the Four Seasons," a color lithograph by Pierre Bonnard from around 1897-1899. It's… quite faded, almost dreamlike. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: Dreamlike is the perfect word! It’s like a half-remembered street scene. Bonnard wasn't just depicting reality; he was capturing a feeling. Look how he uses color—or the lack thereof—to create this hazy atmosphere. What do you think that almost ghostly central figure adds to the scene? Editor: She almost fades into the background; she’s hard to see. Maybe it represents the ephemeral nature of these fleeting market encounters, and, since it's a merchant of the seasons, the changes with each part of the year. Is that turquoise figure a dog? It's such a bold choice amidst all the pastel shades. Curator: It IS a dog! And yes, exactly! That vibrant turquoise anchors the entire composition, doesn't it? Bonnard was fascinated by Japanese prints; do you see any of that influence here in the flatness of the image or the unconventional cropping? Editor: I see it! The simplification of forms and the focus on everyday life, too, I suppose. Almost snapshot-like. It makes you feel like you are casually coming across it. Curator: Precisely. He wasn't aiming for photo-realism. He was after something more personal, a moment suspended in time. Isn’t it remarkable how a few strokes of color can evoke so much? It reminds me of fleeting childhood summers… the taste of overripe fruit… But, perhaps that's just my own experience intruding, or embellishing? Editor: No, I felt something similar! This conversation definitely opened my eyes to Bonnard’s intention of just trying to create an impression of life, and also to consider my impressions when coming into contact with this art.