In this luminous and vibrant work from 1917, Pierre Bonnard presents an intimate composition where modern framing techniques merge with the sensuality of his post-impressionist brushwork.
“Young Women with Seagull” captures a carefree moment on the French Riviera, where two young women, their faces bathed in Mediterranean light, share a moment of complicity.
The bold composition, with its close-up perspective and tight framing, reveals the influence of photography on the artist. Vaporous brushstrokes and a subtle chromatic palette—dominated by celestial blues, golden ochres, and the brilliant red of the hat—create a dreamlike atmosphere characteristic of Bonnard’s style. The seagull, a dynamic element in the composition, brings a breath of life and movement to this contemplative scene, while the marine background dissolves into a colored mist typical of the artist’s work.
Further information
- Young Women with Seagull, Pierre Bonnard, 1917
- 49,3 x 43,5 cm
- Petit Palais, Museum of Fine Arts of the City of Paris, Paris Musées
- https://www.parismuseescollections.paris.fr/fr/petit-palais/oeuvres/jeunes-filles-a-la-mouette
Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) was one of the masters of color in French post-impressionism. A founding member of the Nabis group in the 1890s, he developed a unique style where color becomes the structuring element of composition. His regular stays in the South of France from 1909 onward marked a turning point in his work, enriching his palette with the brilliant tonalities of the Mediterranean. His particular technique of working from memory rather than from direct observation allowed him to transcend simple representation to achieve a more poetic and emotional dimension of reality.
