Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947): A Life Bathed in Light Pierre Bonnard, born October 3, 1867, in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France – a suburb of Paris – wasn’t initially destined for artistic pursuits. His father, Henri Bonnard, was a distinguished civil servant within the French Ministry of War, prioritizing a legal education for his son. Young Pierre dutifully embraced this path, securing his law degree in 1888, yet his soul yearned for something more vibrant – the captivating realm of color and form. This inherent duality—the clash between expectation and passion—would subtly permeate his artistic jo…