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Pierre Bonnard (1867 - 1947)

Au Cafe (To the Cafe) c.1900

Oil on canvas
Foundation Bemberg, Toulouse, France.

Bonnard was one of the great French masters of subtle colour, fine variations of tone and nuances of light. He is most notable for his intimate portraits and bathing nudes.

This painting gives the impression of an older and younger woman, possibly mother and daughter. The young woman's expression is resigned, sullen, looking down at the table, her hands in lap. The older woman, her seniority in age suggested by her bulk and more modest hat, has an overbearing air with her exposed hands.

Thus evolved a conversational story of a daughter reluctantly revealing to her mother that her philandering husband has left her, and moreover, left her a with an unwanted problem.

I had recently read several of Alan Bennett's books and was influenced by his chatty, north of England style, and wrote in that vein.