Léon Bonhomme - Nu

Nu, 1906, shows a three-quarter portrait of a half-naked, seated dancer in a yellow skirt. The predominantly dark blue color scheme is reminiscent of Picasso's blue period at the beginning of the century. Bonhomme's watercolors were created in the milieu of Parisian demi-monde, where the artist worked “sur le motif.” Although he is similar to his friend Rouault in terms of theme and technique, there are also differences in the quality of the pictorial message. While Rouault, drawing on Cézanne, combines structural density with pointed content and biting criticism, Bonhomme is much more moderate. His view of the social environment is more contemplative and less accusatory, and the picture formats are also much smaller and tailored to the wishes of a broader circle of enthusiasts.

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Provenance

Acquired around 1977 by Jürg Im Obersteg

Literature

Baumgartner/von Tavel 1995
Michael Baumgartner und Hans Christoph von Tavel: Die Sammlung Karl und Jürg Im Obersteg, hrsg. von der Stiftung «Sammlung Karl und Jürg Im Obersteg», Bern, Bern: Benteli Verlag, 1995, S. 68, Nr. 20, Abb.

Exhibitions

Wien 2003
Im Banne der Moderne: Picasso, Chagall, Jawlensky, BA-CA Kunstforum, Wien, 4. Sept.-30. Nov. 2003, Nr. 4

Basel 2004
Die Sammlung Im Obersteg im Kunstmuseum Basel. Picasso, Chagall, Jawlensky, Soutine, Kunstmuseum Basel, 14. Febr.-2. Mai 2004, hrsg. von der Stiftung Im Obersteg, Basel: Schwabe Verlag, 2004, Nr. 8

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