Lilacs

1886–1927 · Virkested

Paris

1890

Joins the Nabis

He begins attending the meetings of the “prophets” in late 1889 and in 1890, through Maurice Denis, becomes a member of the group, which met in Paul Ranson’s studio and in the cafés of the Passage Brady; because of his military service he is given the coded nickname “Nabi Zouave”. Other accounts date his membership from 1891.

early 1890s

The Natanson brothers and La Revue Blanche

Through his theatre work he meets Alexandre and Thadée Natanson, founders of the cultural review La Revue Blanche, where his graphics appear alongside work by Bonnard, Toulouse-Lautrec and Vallotton; the brothers become his important patrons. Other accounts say they had known each other since the Lycée Condorcet.

1891

First exhibition with the Nabis at Saint-Germain-en-Laye

At the château of Saint-Germain-en-Laye he shows two paintings, among them “The Woman in a Striped Dress”; the reviews are largely good, although the critic of Le Chat Noir (19 September 1891) finds the works still indecisive.

1900

The Nabis part ways and Vuillard’s manner changes

After their exhibition of 1900 the Nabis go their separate ways; Vuillard abandons the close, dark interiors, paints more outdoors in natural light and gradually returns to naturalism, with lighter, deeper interiors and clearer faces.

1900

Meets Lucy Hessel

He meets Lucy Hessel, the wife of a Swiss art dealer, who becomes his new muse: each year she travels with him to Normandy from July to September, advises him, and stays with him until the end of his life despite many rivals and dramatic scenes.