Bonnet was born in Brussels and began her studies in art in 1924, but abandoned them in 1926 on the death of her parents.

In 1930, she married Louis Bonnet, a dealer in silk, and her financial situation allowed her to return to art.

Originally influenced by realists such as James Ensor, she later adopted a geometric style of landscape painting, which became increasingly abstract, inviting comparisons with Paul Klee.

Her work was selected to be on show at the Documenta II exhibition in Kassel alongside other Belgian abstract artists like Henri Michaux, Michel Seuphor and Marc Mendelsohn.

Her iconic La ville d'or is held by the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.