Les Nabis
A group of young Paris painters, including Pierre Bonnard and Édouard Vuillard, inspired by Paul Gauguin.
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What is Les Nabis?
The Nabis (French: les nabis, French pronunciation: [le nabi]) were a group of young French artists active in Paris from 1888 until 1900, who played a large part in the transition from Impressionism and academic art to abstract art, symbolism and the other early movements of modernism. The members included Pierre Bonnard, Maurice Denis, Paul Ranson, Édouard Vuillard, Ker-Xavier Roussel, Félix Vallotton, Paul Sérusier and Auguste Cazalis. Most were students at the Académie Julian in Paris in the late 1880s. The artists shared a common admiration for Paul Gauguin and Paul Cézanne and a determination to renew the art of painting, but varied greatly in their individual styles. They believed that a work of art was not a depiction of nature, but a synthesis of metaphors and symbols created by the artist. In 1900, the artists held their final exhibition and went their separate ways.From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Original Art Movements text
This is the text that appeared on this page on the original Art Movements site. It is kept for reference; some statements are simplified or out of date. Where it differs from the overview, characteristics and dates above, which are checked against Wikipedia and Wikidata, trust those instead.
A Parisian group of Post-Impressionist artists and illustrators who became very influential within the field of graphic art.
Their emphasis on design was shared by the parallel Art Nouveau movement. Both groups also had close ties to the Symbolists.
The core of Les Nabis was Pierre Bonnard, Maurice Denis, Ker Xavier Roussel, Félix Vallotton, and Édouard Vuillard.
- Period
- c. 1888 – 1900
- Began in
- Paris, France
- Key artists
- Pierre Bonnard, Émile Bernard, Félix Vallotton, Aristide Maillol
- Related
- Pointillism, Post-Impressionism, Art Nouveau
Key characteristics of Les Nabis
- Flat areas of bold, non-naturalistic colour
- Decorative patterns and simplified forms
- Intimate domestic interiors as well as spiritual subjects
- Influence of Japanese prints
- Work across painting, prints, posters, theatre design and screens
When was Les Nabis?
Les Nabis is usually dated c. 1888 – 1900, beginning in Paris, France. Dates for art movements are approximate: artists joined and left, and styles overlapped.
Where it sits in art history
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The artists' lifetimes
Each bar shows an artist's life; the shaded band is the main period of Les Nabis.
Key Les Nabis artists
Artists linked to Les Nabis in Wikidata, ordered by how widely they are covered on Wikipedia.
Famous Les Nabis works
12 works with free-to-use images, including works by key artists of the movement. Open one for details, where to see it and its colour palette.
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6 facts about Les Nabis
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Les Nabis quiz
9 questions drawn from this page, shuffled every time. Then try the full art movements quiz.
Where to see Les Nabis
Collections that hold the works on this page. Displays change, so check with the museum before you travel.
Musée d'Orsay
- Le Talisman, l'Aven au Bois d'Amour
- Portrait of Paul Ranson in Nabi costume
- Ambroise Vollard
- Adam and Eve
Les Nabis: common questions
What is Les Nabis?
A group of young Paris painters, including Pierre Bonnard and Édouard Vuillard, inspired by Paul Gauguin.
When was Les Nabis?
Les Nabis: c. 1888 – 1900. It began in Paris, France. Dates for art movements are approximate.
What are the main characteristics of Les Nabis?
Flat areas of bold, non-naturalistic colour; Decorative patterns and simplified forms; Intimate domestic interiors as well as spiritual subjects; Influence of Japanese prints; Work across painting, prints, posters, theatre design and screens.
Who are the most famous Les Nabis artists?
Pierre Bonnard, Émile Bernard, Félix Vallotton, Aristide Maillol, Paul Sérusier.
What are some famous Les Nabis works?
Ia Orana Maria by Paul Gauguin; Le Talisman, l'Aven au Bois d'Amour by Paul Sérusier; Two Breton Women under an Apple Tree in Flower by Paul Sérusier; Portrait of Paul Ranson in Nabi costume by Paul Sérusier; Nativity by Maurice Denis.
Where can I see Les Nabis art?
Musée d'Orsay (Paris, France), Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, United States), Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (Madrid, Spain), Musée des Augustins (Toulouse, France), Musée des Beaux-Arts de Quimper (France) hold works shown on this page.
