Pierre BONNARD
French 1867-1947
Siesta - The artist's studio
1900
oil on canvas
109.0 x 132.0 cm
Felton Bequest 1949
2053-4

The erotic overtone of this work is achieved not only from the languorous natural pose of the model, but also from the context of the contemporary boudoir. Ruffled bedclothes leave little to the imagination as to how the woman attained her relaxed state. The setting is the bedroom in Bonnard’s studio, and the model is his long time lover Marthe de Moligny.

Yet Bonnard imbued this contemporary treatment of the nude with a sense of classicism. He had a sound knowledge of art history, which he formally studied, and in this painting he posed Marthe like the ancient Greek statue, Hermaphrodite. The statue was famous for its blatant eroticism and was used for inspiration by many artists. This reference would not have been lost on viewers when the painting was first exhibited.