Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe

Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe

Year: 2023

Runtime: 122 mins

Language: French

Director: Martin Provost

HistoryRomance

When French painter Pierre Bonnard encountered Marthe de Méligny, he could not foresee that the self‑styled aristocrat would become the center of his personal and artistic life. She evolved beyond a muse, appearing in over a third of his canvases, and their unconventional, vibrant love defied the era’s norms, fueling a lasting mystery about their partnership. Based on a true story.

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Timeline & Setting – Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe (2023)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe (2023). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1900s-1914

Set in the early 20th century, the narrative precedes World War I. It captures a pre-war French art world: intimate studios, private exhibitions, and the social milieu surrounding painters and their sitters. As August 1914 approaches, the looming conflict colors relationships and ambitions.

Location

France, lakeside country home

The story unfolds at a lakeside country home that serves as both residence and artistic retreat for Bonnard. Pierre's studio and the surrounding waterscape become the inspiration for his plein air paintings, reflecting the intimate life shared with Marthe. The home is a social hub where fellow artists like Monet and Vuillard visit, anchoring the couple in a vibrant French art-circle.

🏞️ Lakeside 🎨 Studio 🇫🇷 France

Last Updated: January 06, 2026 at 10:49

Main Characters – Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe (2023)

Meet the key characters of Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe (2023), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Pierre Bonnard (Vincent Macaigne)

A passionate, driven painter who falls hard for Marthe and pursues a life together. He is deeply in love and determined, yet his intensity can verge on possessiveness as his art and romance intertwine. The studio sessions and romantic escapades reveal how his creative impulse is inseparable from his emotional life.

🎭 Artist ❤️ Romantic 🔎 Complex

Marthe de Méligny (Cécile De France)

A strong-willed woman who challenges Pierre's advances and later becomes his partner. Her health concerns and emotional depth shape the arc of their relationship, giving weight to choices about love, family, and mortality. She navigates social expectations while asserting her own agency.

💃 Muse 🫖 Independent 🩺 Health

Claude Monet (André Marcon)

An elder painter and friend who visits the couple, sharing in conversations about art and the lake’s beauty. His presence anchors Bonnard in the French art world and highlights the collaboration and mutual influence among impressionist and post-impressionist circles.

🎨 Mentor 🖼️ Painter 🤝 Friend

Édouard Vuillard (Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet)

A fellow artist who joins the dinner and paints in the shadows of Bonnard's circle. He embodies the social warmth and artistic camaraderie of the era, enabling the exchange of ideas and the forging of Franco-artist networks.

🎭 Friend 🧍 Artist 🏡 Social

Misia (Anouk Grinberg)

A charismatic figure from Bonnard’s circle, Misia adds a layer of salon culture and social charm to the entourage. Her presence signals the intersection of art, society, and influence during the period.

🪄 Socialite 🎶 Patron 🗣️ Influencer

Renée (Stacy Martin)

A figure in the couple’s social circle who underscores the domestic and interpersonal dynamics of the era. Her interactions reflect the cross-conversations of art, affection, and society.

🎭 Supporting 🫂 Social 👩 Personality

Alfred Edwards (Peter Van Den Begin)

A friend or patron within the Bonnard circle whose presence hints at the broader network of critics and collectors surrounding the artists. His role underscores the interplay between art, influence, and support.

🤝 Patron 🗣️ Critic 🖼️ Collector

Charles (César Domboy)

A member of the artist circle whose interactions illuminate the social and professional dimensions of the period. His presence adds texture to the group dynamic and the exchange of artistic ideas.

🎨 Artist 🗨️ Colleague

Maurice Denis (Philippe Richardin)

A fellow painter and part of the extended circle, Denis contributes to the depiction of early 20th-century French art networks in the film. His presence helps anchor Bonnard in a broader art movement.

🖌️ Painter 🗺️ Movement

Honorine Boursin (Yveline Hamon)

A friend within the social circle who represents the women in the artistic milieu and the salons of the era. Her interactions offer social perspective on the relationships and expectations of artists.

👗 Socialite 🗨️ Salon

Last Updated: January 06, 2026 at 10:49

Major Themes – Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe (2023)

Explore the central themes of Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe (2023), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💘 Love

A fierce, transformative romance drives the story as Pierre pursues Marthe and the two begin a life together. Their relationship blends desire with tension, challenging social norms about modeling, propriety, and partnership. Love here is both a creative muse and a personal battleground, shaping the artists' work and choices.

🎨 Art and Life

The film intertwines painting with daily life, showing how a muse becomes the subject of art and vice versa. The studio sessions, lakeside plein air, and circle of artists reveal how personal relationships fuel or complicate creative work. The boundary between artist and model blurs as they navigate intimacy and artistic ambition.

🕰️ Time and Mortality

Marthe's fragile heart and the doctor’s warning cast a shadow over the relationship, emphasizing the fragility of life. Time moves quickly as the couple experiences joy, longing, and the looming possibility of loss. The approaching war also adds urgency to their choices and the artworks they create together.

🌅 Plein Air

Outdoor painting by the lake becomes a central ritual, capturing light, color, and atmosphere in the couple's world. The lakeside landscape mirrors their evolving bond and the immediacy of their moments. The act of painting outdoors ties memory to place, shaping Bonnard's art and their shared history.

Last Updated: January 06, 2026 at 10:49

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Bonnard, Pierre and Marthe Summary

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