The late 19th century was a time of great artistic experimentation across Europe.
In France, a group of young artists, known as the Les Nabis, emerged as a significant force in the art world.
This group, whose name means “the prophets” in Hebrew, rejected the traditional academic style of painting and embraced a new approach to art-making that emphasized color, form, and symbolism.
This article will provide an overview of the Les Nabis art movement, including its history, style, and major artists.
History of the Les Nabis Art Movement
The Les Nabis art movement emerged in the early 1890s in Paris, France.
The group was made up of a diverse group of artists, including Pierre Bonnard, Édouard Vuillard, Maurice Denis, Paul Sérusier, and Félix Vallotton, among others.
They were united by a shared interest in moving away from traditional academic painting and towards a more expressive and symbolic form of art-making.
The group was heavily influenced by the Symbolist movement, which emerged in France in the late 19th century.
Symbolism emphasized the use of symbols and metaphors to express emotional and spiritual ideas, rather than simply representing the physical world.
The Les Nabis embraced this approach to art-making and sought to create works that were not just representations of the world but also expressions of their inner emotions and experiences.
Style of the Les Nabis Art Movement
The Les Nabis art movement was characterized by its use of bold colors, simplified forms, and decorative patterns.
The artists were interested in creating works that were not just visually appealing but also conveyed a deeper meaning.
They often used symbols and metaphors to express their ideas, and their works were heavily influenced by the spiritual and mystical ideas of the Symbolist movement.
One of the key features of the Les Nabis style was the use of flat, decorative patterns.
This was particularly evident in their use of textiles and wallpaper, which they often designed themselves.
They were interested in creating works that were not just paintings but also functional objects that could be used in everyday life.
Another important aspect of the Les Nabis style was their use of color.
They were particularly interested in the way that color could convey emotion and mood, and they used vibrant colors to create works that were expressive and evocative.
They often used color in a symbolic way, with different colors representing different emotions or ideas.
Major Artists of the Les Nabis Art Movement
The Les Nabis art movement was made up of a number of talented artists, each with their own unique style and approach to art-making. Some of the major artists of the movement include:
Pierre Bonnard: Bonnard was known for his use of bright colors and decorative patterns.
He often painted scenes from everyday life, such as domestic interiors and landscapes, and infused them with a sense of warmth and intimacy.
Édouard Vuillard: Vuillard was known for his use of flattened forms and bold colors.
He often painted scenes from the domestic sphere, such as interiors and portraits of family and friends.
Maurice Denis: Denis was known for his use of symbolic imagery and decorative patterns.
He often used religious themes in his work, and his paintings were characterized by their spiritual and mystical quality.
Paul Sérusier:
Sérusier was known for his use of simplified forms and bold colors.
He was particularly interested in the natural world and often painted landscapes and scenes from nature.
Félix Vallotton:
Vallotton was known for his use of sharp outlines and strong contrasts.
He often painted scenes from everyday life, such as cityscapes and portraits, and infused them with a sense of mystery and intrigue.
Legacy of the Les Nabis Art Movement
The Les Nabis art movement had a significant impact on the development of modern art.
Their emphasis on color, form, and symbolism laid the groundwork for many of the major artistic movements of the 20th century, including Fauvism, Cubism, and Surrealism.
The Les Nabis also had an important influence on the decorative arts.
Their use of flat, decorative patterns and interest in creating functional objects helped to pave the way for the Art Nouveau movement, which emerged in the late 19th century and emphasized the use of ornamental design in everyday objects.
Les Nabis Art Movement – Wrap Up
The Les Nabis art movement was a significant force in the art world of the late 19th century.
Their rejection of traditional academic painting and embrace of a more expressive and symbolic form of art-making laid the groundwork for many of the major artistic movements of the 20th century.
Their legacy can be seen in the work of countless artists who have been influenced by their use of color, form, and symbolism.
