Study for "Modulation"
c. 1893
Medium
graphite and watercolor on wove paper
Dimensions
overall: 20 x 26.9 cm (7 7/8 x 10 9/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Virginia and Ira Jackson Collection
Accession Number
2001.136.34
Art Historical Context
This delicate study by Pierre Bonnard, created around 1893, offers a glimpse into the working methods of one of the leading figures of the Nabis group. Executed in graphite and watercolor on wove paper, the drawing measures just 20 by 26.9, suggesting it was likely made as a preparatory exploration rather than a finished piece. Bonnard, known for his intimate domestic scenes and innovative use of color, often began with such quick sketches to test compositions and tonal relationships before committing to larger canvases or prints. As a study for a work titled “Modulation,” the sheet highlight...
About the Artist
Pierre Bonnard
Pierre Bonnard (1867–1947) was a French painter and printmaker who became a leading figure in the Post-Impressionist movement and a founding member of Les Nabis. Born on October 3, 1867, in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France, Bonnard initially studied law at his father's insistence, graduating and briefly practicing as a barrister in 1888. However, his true passion lay in art, and he had simultaneously at...