Tag: pierre bonnard

Dog is Key to Stolen Paul Gauguin Painting

Click here to view video on Dog Art Today

Did you hear this crazy true-crime story about the Italian auto worker/art lover who paid 45,000 Lire (approximately $100 adjusted for today) for two paintings at the Italian Railways lost and found auction in 1975?

The paintings turned out to be Fruits on a Table with Small Dog by Paul Gauguin, and Woman with Two Arm Chairs by Pierre Bonnard.

They were stolen from a London art collector in 1970 by two men posing as burglar alarm technicians.

Authorities think the thieves abandoned the paintings on the train due to fear of customs.

The paintings hung on the auto worker's kitchen wall for close to 40 years. Their identity was only discovered when the man died and his son decided to sell them. Upon researching the paintings, he realized that the dog look very similar another Paul Gauguin dog painting.

Now, it's been discovered that the original owner died and left no heirs.

The paintings are worth between $14 million and $40 millions.

Who should get to keep them?

P.S. In other art heist news, I just watched four seasons of "White Collar" on Netflix. It's corny, con man, forgery, buddy-genre fun. I really enjoyed it.

P.P.S. I wish there was an undiscovered Bonnard Dachshund too.

April 3, 2014
Nannies’ Promenade by Pierre Bonnard

Nannies' Promenade by Pierre Bonnard, 1895-1899

This four-panel screen, color lithograph depicts nannies tending to children playing with hoops and dogs at the the Tuileries Gardens near the Place de la Concorde in Paris. In a letter to his mother Bonnard referred to this screen as "the eighth wonder of the world." I agree.

Via The National Gallery of Australia.

March 26, 2012
Dita Amory Discusses Pierre Bonnard’s Late Interiors

Dressing Table and Mirror by Pierre Bonnard, 1913

This week I am going to feature dog art that inspires my own work. As I mentioned, I want to create an interior/exterior piece for my February Darby collage. No one does interiors and exteriors better than Pierre Bonnard, and he is also one of the premiere Dachshund painters in history. I endlessly return to his Dressing Table and Mirror to study his composition, use of light, and patterns. And, of course, his Dachshund sleeping on a brown pillow. How does he make this work without sinking the whole piece with a brown blob in the middle?

Poking around looking for more, I found this video (below) of Dita Amory, the associate curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art who mounted the 2009 Pierre Bonnard Late Interiors exhibition. In it, she discusses her mission of "giving Pierre Bonnard his due." She also tells a tale of a tragic love triangle and a Dachshund painting that survived his wife's destructive rage. It is a piece I never saw before called Young Woman in the Garden…

Young Woman in the Garden by Pierre Bonnard, 1921

Hopefully, you have the day off so you can take a moment (it's a little over 18 minutes) and listen to Dita Amory discuss Bonnard's overlooked place in art history, his fascinating work methods, his lover, and his wife. If you receive this post in an email, click through to Dog Art Today to view it.

I finally discovered the name of Bonnard's Dachshund, Poucette, which is a French female name. I always thought it was a little guy Doxie. Now, I'm looking anew, again.

February 21, 2011
Dana Hawk Heimbach’s Flowery Dog Art

Neala and PJ

Maybe it's the cold I am still getting over or the rain or the fire that won't catch or the goat's milk in my coffee (I don't care for), but I am having trouble stringing two words together this morning. Luckily, I have some visuals. Dana Hawk Heimbach's work is perfect for a blustery spring day like today. I am drawn to the motion she incorporates in her paintings as well as her deft combination of interiors with nature (see Pierre Bonnard who mastered the indoor/outdoor, but also consider René Magritte's work). When it comes to art, the word "flowery" is sometimes and insult. But Dana does "flowery" just right. See what you think.

Crosswind

Morgan

Ryan, Dylan, and Coco

Sam

Henry

Visit Dana Hawk Heimbach's website to see more or commission a painting of your pet.

May 10, 2010
Another Pierre Bonnard Dachshund

I thought I'd seen all the Bonnard Dachshund art works, but this one, part of the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. , is new to me. Bonnard gets the Doxie paws and erect stance just right, as well as the intense determination. You just know this little guy is going to get some table scraps any moment. I also love the woman's striped shirt. And the bottle of wine. Clearly, Bonnard knew what was important in life.

Thank you, Philip Koch, for taking this photo and sharing it on your blog.

P.S. Click here to see one of my favorite posts featuring Pierre Bonnard and Pablo Picasso and their Dachshunds.

April 26, 2010
Pierre Bonnard: The Late Interiors

The Dessert, 1940

Pierre Bonnard: The Late Interiors opened at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC on Tuesday. Longtime Dog Art Today readers know Bonnard is one of my favorite painters. I love his use of color, negative space, and his interest in Japanese art. But most of all I love when his beloved brown Dachshund makes an appearance in his paintings.

I imagine the Met's exhibition of Bonnard's drawings, paintings, and watercolors from 1923-1947 filled with Doxie works I have never seen before like The Dessert (above). It would be thrilling to see them in person, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen so I have been searching for new discoveries online.

I have yet to find a comprehensive review of the show, but Twitterer and recovering art director, David Ross, Tweets, "Late Bonnard at the Met equal to a walk on a sunny spring day. Quite a treat." Sounds lovely.

If anyone goes and finds more dogs let me know. I collected many of them here. Read more about Bonnard's late interiors at ArtDaily. Information at the Met's website. The exhibit runs until April 19, 2009.

P.S. Doesn't The Dessert remind you of this David Douglas Duncan photo of Picasso and Lump, the little brown Doxie at his master's elbow…

Related links:
Pierre Bonnard's Dachshunds
Bonnard's Dog Art Still Needs a Home

January 29, 2009
Pierre Bonnard’s Late Interiors at the Met

Before Dinner, 1924

Day 11 of my Dog Art Gift Guide: A trip to the Met to see Pierre Bonnard's Late Interiors. Yes, this is probably a fantasy gift unless you live in NYC, but a girl can dream.

The exhibition runs from January 27 – April 19, 2009. Click here for more information.

Related links:
Pierre Bonnard's Dachshunds
Bonnard's Dog Art Still Needs a Home

December 12, 2008
Bonnard’s Dog Art Still Needs a Home

Les Boutiques, boulevard des Batignolles by Pierre Bonnard, 1911

Carol Vogel of the New York Times reports last night was a bleak night at Christie's in both sales and prices. It seems the economic meltdown has hit the auction season. She writes:

"In a hushed salesroom at Christie’s on Wednesday night, works by a wide range of artists, from Manet, Cézanne and Renoir to Rothko and de Kooning, failed to sell, and prices for things that did find buyers often went for far less than what they would have a year ago. " (more)

One of the pieces that failed to find a home was Pierre Bonnard's Les Boutiques, boulevard des Batignolles which was estimated at $1,000,000 – $1,500,000. Given the anticipation for the Metropolitan's January 2009 exhibition, Pierre Bonnard: The Late Interiors, it may be surprising this "Japonized Nabi" vertical painting did not sell.

Christie's calls it "muted," but I think it is just too muddy for a million dollars. In these bargain basement times, I would wait for a Bonnard late interior (1923 – 1947) when he was painting in the dazzling light of southern France, not winter in Paris. And, of course, I would wait for his Dachshund to make an appearance!

The Bathroom by Pierre Bonnard, 1932

Speaking of the dazzling light of southern France, descendants of Bonnard's second cousin, the late Robert Saums of Hoepwell, New Jersey, recently introduced a new line of paint inspired by their famous French family member. It is available through their store Saums Interiors.

They also offer copies of his work and design advice to help you create a Bonnard interior in your home. Brilliant!

Related Links:
Pierre Bonnard's Dachshunds

November 6, 2008
Pierre Bonnard’s Dachshunds

The Bathroom, 1932

I recently found a fun and informative website written by a British black and tan Dachshund named Archie. It turns out Archie and I have similar tastes in art. We both are obsessed with French painter Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947). I thought it would be appropriate to feature Bonnard this Bastille Day, though any excuse would do.

Here are some of our favorite works:

The Red Checkered Tablecloth or The Dog's Lunch, 1910

Preparatory sketch for Le Café, 1915

Le Café, 1915

Carafe, Marthe Bonnard with her Dog, 1912-1915. (I love the evolution of this scene and I think this is the best incarnation.)

Woman with Dog, 1891. (I'm not sure if this is a Dachshund, but I'm pretending it is for the purposes of this post.)

My Companions

The Vigil

Nude in the Bath and Small Dog, 1941-1946.

Dressing Table and Mirror, 1913. (See the Doxie and the nude reflected in the mirror. This might be my favorite.)

Read Archie's take on Bonnard's life and works here.
He and I also recommend Bonnard by Sara Whitfield.

Note: click on images to view larger size.

July 14, 2008
Dachshund Gifts

Dachshunds rank number 6 on the list of most popular dog breeds in the U.S. Obviously they rank number 1 in my mind as I grew up with a Wirehaired Dachshund named Rhett and now live wtih a Longhaired Dachshund named Darby. So, I’ll admit it, Doxies are my favorite. Here are some Christmas gift ideas for the Dachshund obsessed people in your life.

This image entitled “dox-ZEN” still proves to be one of my most popular designs. Seen here on a 5.5″x5.5″ keepsake box made of hardwood and ceramic tile. It’s perfect for holding jewelry, momentos, keys, etc. Here is a generic side view:

Also, 4 coasters fit perfectly inside. A nice gift for your cocktail Wienie Dog friends.

I featured this design in an earlier Christmas cards post, but I think it’s extra sweet with Dachshunds pulling Santa’s sleigh. It reminds me of little Max pulling the Grinch down to Who-Ville.

I posted about this book Picasso & Lump: A Dachshund’s Odyssey by David Douglas Duncan back in April. Since then, it has consistently remained atop my search stats. I think Dachshund owners are fascinated that the single creature who really touched Picasso’s heart was one of their own. I know I am. This book is a perfect gift for a Doxie lover.

If you want the real thing, or at least a reproduction of the real thing, how about Picasso’s famous Dachshund drawing, The Dog. Presented in a crisp black and white matte with an elegant black frame. Pure genius!

My Wirehaired Dachshund Angel ornament spreads the message of peace I think we are all craving this year.

My Mother surprised me with this book for Christmas one year, Day of the Dachshund by Jim Dratfield. I adore it. It’s so funny and charming, just like a Dachshund. It would be a great hostess gift or Secret Santa present for the Dachshund lover on your list.

I just sold one of these Dachshund totes yesterday. It’s looking like my Striped Dachshund gifts – mugs, cards, t-shirts, aprons – are going to be the big sellers for me this year.

Holiday Doxie Christmas Cards with a Picasso vibe.

Pierre Bonnard is one of my favorite painters, and not just because little brown Dachshunds frequently appear in his work. Well truth be told, that’s what made me notice him, but then I fell in love with his color palette and the Asian influence in his work.

The Vigil is one of his paintings that makes my heart hurt I love it so much. I often place Darby on a pillowed chair and pull him next to me while I work. He’s happy to keep me company for hours and his presence gives me a sense of calm. The Vigil so perfectly captures a Dachshund’s devotion and the peace he bestows by simply being your pet.

Groovy Doxie t-shirt with a Puma-style graphic. Click here to see all my Puma-style t-shirts in lots of great colors and styles. Email me to add your breed.

No Dachshund owner should be without a copy of David Hockney’s Dog Days. Pure Dachshund art brilliance!

Click here to read more about famous Dachshunds in history from Stacy (a 3 Doxie owner) of Mental Floss Magazine.

November 8, 2007