Six distinctive group portraits are now the works for which he is best known. But aren’t they strange, set in comparison with contemporary paintings?
Denis
What became of those who had been Nabis in the early 20th century? These four never completely abandoned their Nabi roots, as seen in their paintings.
After 1895, their styles and themes diverged, with Japonisme popular, and motifs ranging from the streets of Paris to the great waves of the Brittany coast.
Flattened perspective, muted colours, and decorative patterning: some of the characteristics of the early Nabi years.
Paul Gauguin inspired and launched the Nabis during the late 1880s at Pont-Aven. They first exhibited in 1889, and published their manifesto in 1890, by which time he had moved onto another project.
As he moved away from Nabi style, he made a few narrative works, and painted idyllic realist landscapes.
He introduced the Nabis’ argot, gave them all names, and remained true to their style for longer than most.
With his chroma increasing all the time, he took to a series of classical myths, set on French beaches. Later his paintings became more devotional.
One of the co-founders of Les Nabis, many of his paintings are religious in theme. He was also a fan of Cézanne, and painted a major homage to him.
In the 20th century, his style evolved from the Nabi. The sun came out, he used higher chroma, and painted many portraits.
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