In-text plate (page 107) from Daphnis et Chloé
Pierre Bonnard
French, 1867–1947
1902
A small lithographic illustration by Pierre Bonnard that depicts two young lovers in a tender kiss, printed as an in‑text plate for an edition of Daphnis et Chloé.
What first hits you are the soft, feathery strokes that dissolve contours so the two figures and the surrounding foliage almost merge into a single, sun‑dappled, intimate moment placed directly above the book’s text.
The plate shows how Bonnard translated his painterly, atmospheric touch into print, helping to bring sensual, mood‑driven imagery into the illustrated book and broaden the expressive range of early 20th‑century printmaking.
Medium
One from an illustrated book with 156 lithographs (including wrapper front)
Dimensions
composition (irreg.): 5 7/8 × 5 1/2" (15 × 14 cm); page (each): 11 7/16 × 9 3/8" (29 × 23.8 cm)
Classification
Department
Credit
The Louis E. Stern Collection
Accession
685.1964.59
Palette
Exhibitions
