Siesta (Model: Marthe*) - 1899
Pierre Bonnard (French, 1867- 1947) - Post-Impressionism
Location: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.” …In 1893, while travelling on a tram, Bonnard saw a sempstress called Maria Boursin and followed her home. She told him she was called Marthe de Méligny and was only 17 years old, although she was 24. Her motive for misleading him was to escape from the demi-monde, where she worked sewing pearls on funeral garments. Bonnard was taken in by the sprightly girl and she becomes his model and lifelong companion, but he never married her until 1925, when he was 58…” http://www.escapeintolife.com
