Pierre Bonnard & Scene

This is a portrait of Reneé Monchaty, one of the two women that Pierre Bonnard had an affair with while married to Marthe de Méligny (who mind you, isn't even her real name). This is a very peculiar portrait due to several things: the intensity of the color and the more aggressive strokes. There is something about this painting that suggests to me the sheer delight that Bonnard had while putting paint down. The length of strokes are longer than usual; they almost feel more confident and precise. Perhaps Bonnard ended up involving himself in an affair with this woman because she was the complete opposite of Marthe. I mean, it's completely clear- even the way that he illuminates her personality shines through in the way that he portrays her. She's a sunflower, Marthe is a dandelion.

In comparison to the previous painting, Bonnard paints this portrait of Marthe in a more reserved fashion both in strokes and color. He seems more hesitant when painting Marthe (which is perfectly fine because that's how Marthe was; delicate like a bird). Personally, I really love how he depicts Marthe because as a viewer, it's clear that their relationship was soft and patient. The vibration of colors and paint on Marthe's body truly matched his goals: "He wanted to convey the feeling of living human beings occupying a room, so that his work would not be simply a static image of an inanimate object place recorded by a detached observer but a remnant, like lingering perfume, of the interaction between himself and his model in that space, a memory of their being together, which mean, frequently, a memory of him and Marthe, his principal model, " (14). 

Although Picasso would've rather skinned Bonnard than be in the same room as him, I must say that there is some value to the "impressionist after impressionism was dead," (10). The emptiness in Bonnard's eyes in this self portrait is quite haunting...he looks so very distant and preoccupied. I'm curious about what is happening in the background- it's not completely rendered, but rendered enough to identify fuzzy two bodies. It's almost like his desires are split between two women- perhaps between Reneé and Marthe.

*SCENE*

INT. LIVING ROOM

Sunlight is pouring into the spacious yet slightly cluttered living room. Renée is splayed across a couch, seemingly lost in her own head. Pierre is sitting across from her, easel up, painting. Several other unfinished canvases litter the walls.

PIERRE

Oh Reneé darling...you're so beautiful, the way that the sunlight kisses your body.

RENÉE

Oh, darling..

PIERRE

(Hushed)

I'd like to see Picasso get a piece of ass like this.

RENÉE

Excuse me?

PIERRE 

Nothing.

Renée shifts her position on the couch. She is now sitting upright, looking slightly troubled. Her mind feels distant.

RENÉE

Do you love me Pierre? I mean...do you truly love me? And I mean love, love. It breaks my heart to see you run aloof with that pigeon, Marthe. Why deal with pigeons when you can deal with peacock-

Renée's thoughts are abruptly cut off by the front door opening. Marthe enters the room, makes eye contact with Renée and then Pierre. She is wide-eyed and stunned. Her face becomes beet red. Renée realizes who just happened to walk through the door. She puts on a slight smirk and crosses her legs.

PIERRE

(Flustered)

O-Oh Marthe! I wasn't, um, expecting you for, um, another three hours or so! What're you doing home so, uh, early? And oh! This here is erm, my friend-

RENÉE

The name's Renée. He's cheating on you with me, hun. Sorry not sorry.

PIERRE

I can explain.

Marthe becomes quietly enraged and forces a smile. 

MARTHE

Well, okay, Pierre. Have, uhm, fun with your, how do I say it? Oh right! Filthy prostitute. I suppose I'll be back later.

Marthe clears her throat, scans the room once more, and then suspiciously backs out from the living room. Renée and Pierre share an awkward moment.

RENÉE

Sucks to be her, huh. Anyway, are you going to finish painting me or what? I'm not going to be alive forever, darling.

INT.DINING ROOM - THE NEXT MORNING

Pierre is sitting in his kitchen, drinking an espresso and catching up on the daily newspaper. A headline catches his eye. It reads Blond Woman Found Stabbed to Death in Bed of Roses. Marthe sneaks up from behind him and puts her hand on his shoulder. She scares him and Pierre does a spit take.

MARTHE

(Half-heartedly)

It's such a shame, what happened to Renée. Oh well.

PIERRE

...Shit.