Bonnard peignant ses quatre toiles (dont “l’Amandier”) 1946

Curator: Brassai gifted us with this peek into Pierre Bonnard's studio in 1946. This photograph is titled “Bonnard peignant ses quatre toiles (dont “l’Amandier”)” which translates to Bonnard Painting His Four Canvases (including "The Almond Tree"). Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the layering—Bonnard painting paintings! It's like an Escher drawing, all planes and perspective, yet in black and white photography. Curator: It is indeed a wonderful game of seeing! Brassai was deeply embedded within Parisian artistic circles, capturing the ethos of creation. This photograph serves not only as portraiture but as artistic documentation, revealing the inner sanctum where artistic vision unfolds. Editor: Absolutely! There is something vulnerable about seeing the artist in their den, but it is powerful too! The light is muted, focusing my eye onto the canvases. I detect that the paintings hold symbols tied to memory and experience. Bonnard, the subject, seems silhouetted and dedicated, which could signal that his work provides his guiding light in the world. Curator: The Almond Tree, is especially fascinating as an emblem in his oeuvre. Beyond the traditional interpretations of new beginnings, rebirth and fragility that an almond blossom presents, it reflects, historically, his return to the themes that punctuated his earlier symbolist roots amid post war anxieties and artistic evolution.. It reflects not only a return to previous form, but also an anticipation to what follows. Editor: A reflection of time itself. These almond blossoms against the studio walls create an environment rich with anticipation! Curator: Indeed! This image resonates, and stands the test of time precisely because of how deeply layered it is, from literal images within the image to metaphor and allusion. Editor: Seeing it all gives me new appreciation to the nature of creation and it is a delicate and intriguing balancing act!