“The Luncheon” is an artwork created by Pierre Bonnard in 1899. This piece is completed in oil on cardboard, measuring 70.5 cm by 54.5 cm. Bonnard’s work falls within the post-impressionist movement known as Intimism, focusing on intimate domestic scenes. The genre painting is currently housed in the E.G. Bührle Foundation in Zürich, Switzerland.
The artwork depicts a casual dining scene rich with the textures and colors characteristic of Bonnard’s style. In this intimate setting, the artist illustrates figures gathered around a table laden with food, capturing a moment of everyday life with an affectionate, painterly touch. The loose brushstrokes give a sense of liveliness and spontaneity, while the use of color sets an inviting, warm atmosphere. The obscured faces impart a sense of universality, as the specific identities of the subjects become less important than the overall impression of conviviality and domesticity. The painting exemplifies Bonnard’s ability to elevate ordinary scenes to artful compositions, instilling them with emotional depth and subtle beauty.
