Bonnard, Pierre (1867-1947)
Le bol de lait (The Bowl of Milk)
c.1919
Oil on canvas, 116.2 × 121 cm
Tate Britain, London
Bonnard painted this work in the south of France. He moved there during the First World War with his partner Marthe de Méligny, pictured here. This view is of the room they rented. Light reflected from the sea pours through the balcony window. The strong light leaves many details in shadow, including de Méligny’s face and the cat awaiting its milk. Preparatory drawings show Bonnard testing a variety of details and poses before he brought them together in the final painting.
This painting was first exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants in 1920 as ‘Interior’, then at the Galerie Druet in 1924 as ‘Interior at Antibes‘ and at Rosenberg and Helft in 1937 as ‘The Bowl of Milk’. An old label on the back gives the further title ‘Fillette en rose’ (Girl in pink).
The same room and window, and some of the same pieces of furniture, appear in a smaller picture entitled ‘Luminous Interior, Antibes’ (58 x 63cm, Dauberville No.980), which was bought from the artist on 12 March 1919. There are also two other pictures painted in 1919 which show the same apartment at Antibes and probably the same room (Dauberville Nos.976 and 978). (Tate)
See also:
• Antibes (France) | Bonnard, Marthe (1869-1942)