Study for "La Valse" [recto]

1891/1893

Pierre Bonnard

Associated Names
Pierre Bonnard

Artist, French, 1867 - 1947

The image shows a sketch of two individuals in an embrace. The man on the left has a mustache and short hair, wearing a dark suit with a white shirt. The woman on the right is wearing a frilly dress with styled hair. The background has rough lines and shading, giving the impression of a patterned backdrop. There is a "1" in the top left and some text on the right. French cursive text is at the bottom, along with horizontal lines resembling music staff paper. The sketch has an informal, hurried style.
This object’s media is not available for download. Contact us about image usage.
Not on view See artworks now on view

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and black ink over graphite

  • Credit Line

    Virginia and Ira Jackson Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 22.2 x 10.9 cm (8 3/4 x 4 5/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2001.136.29.a

Associated Artworks

The image shows a series of overlapping and intersecting lines forming an abstract composition. The lines create the outline of a human figure, possibly a couple dancing closely with one arm extended outward. Surrounding lines hint at an environment with a background that suggests an audience, evoking a dance performance scene.

Study for "La Valse" [verso]

Pierre Bonnard

1891

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Virginia and Ira Jackson, Houston; gift to NGA, 2001.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1989

  • Pierre Bonnard: The Graphic Art. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. New York, 1989, 11,12, 215, no. 23, figs. 10, 11.

2000

  • Prints Abound: Paris in the 1890s. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2000, 151, 159, no. 114A-B (both recto and verso reproduced; color).

Wikidata ID

Q64619580

You may be interested in

Loading Results