Self Portrait in a Shaving Mirror 1935

Bonnard made this "Self Portrait in a Shaving Mirror" with oil on canvas. Just look at how he’s layered the colors, like building up a memory. It’s about seeing, sure, but more about how we piece things together. That’s painting, isn’t it? A process of adding, subtracting, figuring it out as you go. I love the materiality of this work. The surface isn’t smooth, it's got this rough, tactile quality. You can almost feel the brushstrokes, the way he worked and reworked the paint. The colors are muted, a bit melancholic, but there's a warmth too, especially in the flesh tones. Look closely at the face – how he uses these small dabs of color to create form. It's not about capturing a likeness, but about capturing a feeling, a mood. It's all sensation. Bonnard reminds me a little of Vuillard, they're both conjuring intimate, domestic spaces. Art isn’t about answers, it’s about asking questions, embracing the unknown.