Pont de la Concorde 1913 - 1915

Editor: Pierre Bonnard's "Pont de la Concorde," held at the Tate, uses muted tones to depict a Parisian scene. It almost feels like the paint itself is trying to capture the overcast day. What's your perspective on this work? Curator: The handling of the oil paint is indeed central. Notice how Bonnard applies it, creating a tactile surface that mirrors the working-class garments and the urban environment. The visible brushstrokes emphasize the labor and materiality of both art and everyday life, blurring the lines between them. It’s a conscious engagement with the means of production. Editor: That's an interesting point. It makes me see the painting as less of a scene, and more of an object. Curator: Precisely! Bonnard draws our attention to the physical reality of the painting itself. Thinking about the economic realities surrounding art creation changes how we perceive it.