These four plates from 1930 are from a series of engravings commissioned by Ambroise Vollard to illustrate his book La vie de sainte Monique. The Parisian art dealer and publisher saw in Saint Augustine’s mother – patron saint of prayer and perseverance, and simultaneously an excessive and abusive figure – an echo of the women in his circle. Bonnard produced almost 200 illustrations for the book, telling the story of this Berber saint through simple forms, stylized poses and sober backgrounds. The series entered the collection in 1975 through a donation, expanding the museum’s extensive holdings in printed art.
This work was also presented at MBAL during the exhibition Le plaisir du texte (2023).
Lithographs and etchings, inv. 346.2-2
