Triptyque d'après Octave Mirbeau (Triptych after Octave Mirbeau)
Painting; three large-scale vertical canvas panels forming a triptych decorative ensemble • Pierre Bonnard
Style & Movement
Les Nabis (Post-Impressionism / Intimism / Symbolism)
Medium & Technique
Pastel, oil, and potentially distemper (peinture à la colle) on canvas. Features a dreamlike, hazy soft-focus application consistent with Nabis decorative techniques.
Creation Period
Circa 1900-1910
Dimensions & Format
Large-scale vertical format; approximately 150 cm x 80 cm per panel. Triptych configuration.
Subject Description
A dense, luminescent floral and forest composition inspired by the garden of writer Octave Mirbeau. The panels depict a rich tapestry of trees, blossoms, and hazy sunlight with a flattened, decorative perspective characteristic of the Nabis school. Symbols of growth and light dominate.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent. The works are housed in a museum setting (Musée d'Orsay context) and show well-preserved pigment and canvas tension.
Estimated Market Value
$25,000,000 - $40,000,000 (Market value for a major Bonnard triptych is astronomical, though they are largely held in public institutions).
Auction Estimate
$20,000,000 - $35,000,000 based on recent high-end Post-Impressionist sales records.
Provenance History
Commissioned by or dedicated to Octave Mirbeau; later acquired by the French state for national collections. Currently in the collection of the Musée d'Orsay, Paris.
Art Historical Significance
A seminal example of 'Art for Art's sake' within the Nabis movement. It bridge the gap between late 19th-century Symbolism and modern decorative abstraction, highlighting Bonnard's unique handling of light and space.
Notable Features
The works are currently displayed against a deep teal/green wall which maximizes the yellow-gold luminosity of the palette. The use of pastel on a large scale for canvas is a signature Bonnard innovation.
Condition Issues
Minimal visible issues; possible slight age-related oxidation of pigments or subtle surface dust. Professionally stabilized.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strict climate control (50% RH) and low UV lighting levels. Professional surface cleaning to remove any airborne particles every few decades.