Artwork
The Seine at Vernonnet
The Seine at Vernonnet is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Pierre Bonnard. It dates from 1930 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows the Seine River flowing past a tree-lined bank at Vernonnet, a quiet riverside setting that Bonnard used to explore everyday moments of natural tranquility. The composition captures the water's surface and surrounding foliage without overt narrative, inviting contemplation of light and atmosphere rather than symbolic storytelling.
The work represents a simple, observed scene that emphasizes the fleeting qualities of light and the quiet presence of nature, reflecting Bonnard's interest in capturing the sensory experience of a place rather than allegorical meaning.
Technique & Style
As a painting classified within Bonnard's oeuvre, the piece relies on the physical properties of oil on canvas to achieve its formal composition.
Pierre Bonnard's The Seine at Vernonnet, created in 1930, is executed in oil paint on a square canvas support measuring 108 cm by 108 cm. The work depicts the Seine River alongside trees and bark, rendered through the artist's characteristic handling of oil medium. As a painting classified within Bonnard's oeuvre, the piece relies on the physical properties of oil on canvas to achieve its formal composition. The square format and the specific subject matter of the river and natural elements define its stylistic approach within the artist's body of work from that year.
History & Provenance
Pierre Bonnard created The Seine at Vernonnet in 1930, an oil painting depicting the Seine river, a tree, and bark. The work measures 108 cm in both height and width and was painted on canvas. It entered the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it remains on display.
The painting's provenance is documented through its acquisition by the Art Institute of Chicago, establishing a clear chain of ownership from the artist to the institution. Its creation history is tied to Bonnard's activity in 1930, confirmed by dated records and material specifications.
The work is classified as a painting and is part of the museum's permanent collection, reflecting its significance within Bonnard's oeuvre and modernist landscape art.
The Seine at Vernonnet is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The museum identifies the work as an oil painting on canvas created by Pierre Bonnard in 1930. While the institution serves as its current location, the provided records do not specify a unique inventory or accession number for the piece. Furthermore, no details regarding the artwork's exhibition history are available in the current documentation.
Overview
Pierre Bonnard’s 1930 oil painting, titled The Seine at Vernonnet, presents a tranquil river scene. The composition centers on the flowing Seine, bordered by verdant trees and a modest barque drifting in the distance. The work resides in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, offering viewers a quiet glimpse of the French countryside.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre Bonnard was a French painter, illustrator and printmaker, known especially for the stylized decorative qualities of his paintings and his bold use of color.
