PIERRE BONNARD (1867-1947). NOTEBOOK OF DRAWINGS. Pet. in-4, - Lot 183

PIERRE BONNARD (1867-1947). NOTEBOOK OF DRAWINGS. Pet. in-4, half-perc, marbled tr. (Period notebook). Notebook consisting of 29 ruled paper sheets, preceded by a map of France. The first leaf is blank, the first 5 pages give an ink copy of a letter from Mme de Sévigné, followed by original drawings or sketches in pencil, pen or colored pencil, some full-page (some pages remain blank): men and horses, head studies... 6 large full-page pen and colored pencil compositions depict humorous scenes, 5 large colored pencil drawings depict heads, including a superb woman's face; the inside back cover is also covered with a pen sketch. One of the color drawings is signed by Bonnard, and two watercolors, also signed, are included in this youthful notebook by the great artist, who may have been around fifteen years old at the time. Some of these drawings are very fresh and witty, while others (such as the woman's face) already show great mastery and herald a great draftsman.