Advanced Search

Petites Scenes Familières

Petites Scenes Familières

Artist: Pierre Bonnard (French, 1867-1947)
Publisher: E. Fromont, éditeur, Paris, [1895]
Printer: Crevel Frères, Paris (M. Fleurot, gr.)
Author: Franc-Nohain (French, 1873-1934)
Author: Franc-Nohain (poetry) (French, 1873--1934)
Date: [1895]
Dimensions:
Book: H: 14 in. (355 mm); W: 10 7/8 in. (277 mm); Depth: 5/16 in. (8 mm).
Page: H: 13 13/16 in. (351 mm); W: 10 5/8 in. (270 mm).
Medium: Original prints: 20 lithographs (incl. front wrapper) on cream wove paper
Classification: Books
Credit Line: Gift of Molly and Walter Bareiss
Object number: 1984.276
Label Text:These are Bonnard's first original illustrations. The sheet music is by his brother-in-law Terrasse, a piano teacher and composer of light music.

Pierre Bonnard, Petit solfège illustré (Little Illustrated Music Theory Book). Music by
Claude Terrasse (1893)
Pierre Bonnard, Petites scènes familières pour piano (Intimate Little Scenes for
Piano). Music by Claude Terrasse, Lyrics by Franc-Nohain (1895)

The French artist Pierre Bonnard had tried in the1890s to enter the lucrative business of illustrating sheet music covers. Although unsuccessful, this effort inspired him to collaborate with his brother-in-law, the composer and teacher Claude Terrasse, on a music theory book for children. The result was Bonnard’s first illustrated book, Petit solfège illustré. Although Terrasse’s text was dry, Bonnard’s illustrations were amusing and inventive.

Two years later, Bonnard collaborated with Terrasse on an edition of piano music for use in the home. The book featured such family-oriented songs by Terrasse as the lullaby Do, do, l'enfant, do, (Sleep, Sleep, Baby, Sleep) and Chanson du grand-père (Grandfather’s Song). The poet Franc-Nohain wrote the lyrics.

Bonnard worked on the designs while he was visiting Terrasse and his sister in the little town of Arcachon. His sister’s family and the town became the models for many of the images. The lithographs, painted with brush and ink, were influenced by Japanese art.

Not on view
In Collection(s)