Evening lectures by distinguished guest speakers address a range of topics relating to the appreciation and interpretation of art. They are free and open to the public.
Sarah Whitfield, independent art historian, London
From the time of her meeting with Pierre Bonnard in 1893 until her death in 1942, Marthe de Méligny (born Maria Boursin) was a constant presence in Bonnard’s art. The story of her life is complex and sometimes contradictory, often based on anecdote and hearsay rather than serious research. The British curator and art historian Sarah Whitfield will present Marthe Bonnard as her own person, rather than as her husband’s model and muse. Issues regarding her physical and mental health will be considered and clarified to provide a balanced perspective of Marthe—leading towards a greater understanding of her relationships with Bonnard’s friends and family, her deliberate disconnection with her own family and background, and her ambitions and success as an artist in her own right.
Bonnard’s Worlds lectures are supported in part by the Marlene and Spencer Hays Foundation.
To request an accessibility accommodation for a Kimbell program, please email us as far in advance as possible.
