The Red Cupboard 1939

Bonnard made this painting of domestic space, called The Red Cupboard, with oil on canvas sometime in his life. Isn't it remarkable how a painter can turn something as simple as a cupboard into a world of color and texture? Look at the way Bonnard handles the paint; it's like he's building up layers of feeling. You can almost feel the grain of the wood, the weight of the fruit. The colors are warm and inviting. He makes the most delightful composition from the most simple objects. And notice that little green fruit on the floor? It’s a tiny detail, but it brings the whole painting to life. It reminds me of Morandi, but with an added layer of domestic intimacy. Both artists teach us to slow down, to really see the beauty in everyday objects. It is as if Bonnard and Morandi were in conversation across time, agreeing to embrace the ambiguity of art.