Pierre Bonnard
Matinée à Arcachon is a striking, atmospheric depiction of a seascape on the Atlantic coast, comprised primarily of shimmering horizontal bands of color. It is emblematic of Pierre Bonnard’s remarkably luminous palette and confident brushwork. The work is filled with the calm energy and feeling of possibility of a dawning sun, both created by and reflected in the artist’s developed Neo-Impressionist style, which is characterized by a broader, more irregular brushstroke in this period. This is particularly apparent in the masterful and sensitive handling of the sky, in which jewel-like yellows, greens, pinks, and violets feature, in addition to the more usual white and blue. These flickers of tone add a very particular vitality to the picture surface, while also evocatively conveying the fresh mistiness of the morning air.
As Bonnard once said: “There is always colour, [but] it has yet to become light.”
If you are hungry for more sea and light, check out our Sea, Beach & Ships 50 Postcards Set. :)
P.S. The shimmering, colorful Post-Impressionist landscapes have something special about them. Especially the ones made by the most famous Pointillists. Discover some of the best pointillist landscapes!