REVIEW : “Pierre Bonnard - The Colour of Memory” - Art Exhibition at Glyptoteket

mandibil (68)in #art • 5 years ago (edited)

It has been at least a quarter of a century since an exhibition of Bonnard last graced Denmark. The interesting aspect of this french artist, is that he lives through the transition from post-impressionism right through a wealth of modernity isms right into post war abstract expressionism... staying (almost) completely true to his own particular way of painting all the time.

It is infact not an overstatement. His style is incredibly stable all other changes around him considered. There are a few ventures into new territories, but it is as if they are just small exccursions to confirm to himself that they are just that

I felt a bit underwhelmed at first. Some of the paintings are below standards in my view either technically or the motif is just not interesting enough.

But in between some seriously challenging paintings appear that has a unique toned down blend of Van Goghian expressionism and Cezanne, using color palettes that are similar yet quite his own. It is hard to explain really, but these color combinations must be seen live to really experience as I do not find them as present in printed works.

Pablo Picasso comsidered his work too “undecided”, and I understand what he meant. There is hardly any expression in the persons in his work. They are sort of looking blinded or unengaged with the world. I do get a sense of autism - a need to stay clear of human emotion and sticking to the same formula even when the artworld around him jumps from one new cool way of expressing emotion after the other.

This is a difficult artist to wrap your head around. He is really an enigma of modern art, if he can even be called modern. The resistance to express emotions and the post-impressionist painting technique, leaves me no other choice than to call him a post impressionist, who refused to follow the new trends of the most important development in art since the renaissance.

I am left with mixed feelings about his art. Some of it is quite mesmerizing, while others are quite boring bordering on amateurish. Artists have hits and misses but Bonnard seems to never want to evolve or take chances. He just IS the way he is.

That is both annoying and interesting at the same time, since his art becomes highly personal and completely unsentimental and unpretentious. I like that actually and it is what intriques me about him.

A curious little thing is, that my favorite photographer, H. Cartier Bresson was present also with two of his numerous portraits. One particular with Bonnard in the mirror, mirrroring Bonnards own extensive use of mirrors in his art. Bresson had a very good and knowledgeable eye

From an exhibition point of view I found the facility and the rhythm and choices of paintings very well done. They had space to breethe but were not spread out too much either. Good lighting helped bring out the colour palettes which is crucial. A nice little exhibition catalog was available in the store or for free reading within the exhibition. Well done.

The exhibition gets my good recommendations