Is Pierre Bonnard Misunderstood, or is He Sexist?

The works of Pierre Bonnard are often celebrated among the art community, as the Impressionist artist painted humble and mundane scenes that capture the viewer’s attention. His paintings are both praised for their unique process and style but critiqued for his constant affixation on his naked wife. The art critic Linda Nochlin focuses on his wife’s nudity in the bath, and she isn’t alone as other feminist scholars condemn his objectification of women’s bodies. My argument differs slightly as I acknowledge how he sexualizes his wife, while also showing the viewer another…