Preparatory Sketch for ‘The Bowl of Milk’ c. 1919

Curator: This delicate preparatory sketch is by Pierre Bonnard, likely dating from around the turn of the century, in preparation for his painting, 'The Bowl of Milk', and held in the Tate Collections. Editor: It feels fleeting. The hasty lines almost make the scene vanish before our eyes, like a half-remembered dream. Curator: Bonnard was deeply interested in capturing intimate domestic scenes, reflecting the social values around family. This glimpse is into a private, everyday space. Editor: And look at the balustrade; it's a classic symbol of bourgeois domesticity. The milk could represent nourishment, childhood, innocence… Curator: I see it more as Bonnard exploring composition here. He often used sketches to work out the spatial relationships and lighting for his paintings. The final work really emphasizes those soft, filtered light effects. Editor: Perhaps. But the recurring motif of the domestic sphere, rendered with such ephemeral strokes, evokes a poignant sense of nostalgia. Curator: Ultimately, it reveals Bonnard’s focus on capturing everyday life, a slice of French society rendered with intimacy and care. Editor: Yes, and for me, it is a potent reminder of our fleeting memories, made visible through simple lines.