Parisian Boulevard 1896

Pierre Bonnard rendered this image of a Parisian Boulevard with brush and ink, an ode to everyday life. It’s an intimate glimpse into the bustling streets of Paris from the vantage point of the late 19th century. Look closely, and you see how the image creates meaning through the visual codes of modernity: horse-drawn carriages, bustling cafes, and fashionable pedestrians. France at this time was undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization, and the city streets became stages for observing social change. Bonnard, associated with the Nabis, questioned academic art. Instead, the Nabis embraced decorative and expressive styles, influenced by Japanese prints and a desire to capture the fleeting moments of modern life. Historians of art might look to period literature and photography to deepen our understanding of how artists like Bonnard captured and commented on the changing social structures of their time. Ultimately, art like this reflects the meaning of the society and institutions of the time.