Before Dinner 1924

Editor: Here we have Pierre Bonnard's "Before Dinner" from 1924. It’s an oil painting depicting a domestic scene. I'm struck by the intimacy and quiet anticipation of the subjects. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a fascinating tableau of bourgeois life in early 20th century France. Bonnard's artistic circle – and the institutional support it enjoyed – played a key role in shaping the narrative around "intimist" art. Does it strike you as strange that Bonnard shows these women not *during* the dinner, but *before*? Editor: It's almost as if he's capturing a moment of poised reflection before social interactions take over. Curator: Exactly. Bonnard captures that pre-dinner stillness – it’s also about the display of domestic ritual itself. Note the emphasis on the arranged table – the silverware, the glasses, the implication of wealth and societal standing. Does that reflect reality, or does Bonnard imbue his art with societal commentary? Editor: Possibly a little of both? There's an argument to be made about how he highlights, and perhaps elevates, these traditionally "feminine" spaces and moments. Curator: An interesting idea! Given his audience – comprised largely of the middle and upper classes, don't you find his seemingly mundane subject choices, and treatment of interior scenes, a potentially powerful commentary on the values of the era? How would this image be received if displayed in a public institution versus a private residence? Editor: Good point. Seeing it in a museum gives it a weight and permanence that's different than if it was just in someone's home. Thanks for helping me look at it with that context in mind. Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about the social space where art exists truly opens our eyes to its power.