The C C Land Exhibition PIERRE BONNARD: The Colour of Memory, Tate Modern, London 23rd January to 6th May 2019

Bonnard is often called a ‘painter of happiness’ but his love life tells a different story. Bonnard and Marthe de Méligny lived together for over 50 years. She was his lover, wife and muse. But each betrayed the other - Bonnard had many affairs while Marthe lied to him about her name and background. Even so, these infidelities weren’t enough to break their bond of mutual dependence. Only death separated them.

The C C Land Exhibition PIERRE BONNARD: The Colour of Memory, at Tate Modern, London 23rd January to 6th May 2019

What to make of Pierre Bonnard, that most idiosyncratic of painters? Do you love him like Matisse or loathe him like Picasso? Was he a post-impressionist or a modernist? A master colourist or a hesitant dauber? Could he even draw? Tate Modern have given their answers but I’m not so sure.