
Denis, MauriceFrench, 1870–1943May one see it?
Cleveland, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
Maurice Denis belonged to the Nabis, a group of artists who came together in 1889 to pursue a radical new style informed by subjective experience and emotion. This print is from a series in which Denis explored his devotion to his wife, Marthe, by depicting her in a variety of settings alongside titles drawn from his own journal. The vague but evocative images were meant to encourage the viewer to draw connections to the theme and meditate on its meaning.
The Cleveland Museum of Art
January 1898
First trip to Rome, turn to neoclassicism
He visited Rome for the first time, where the works of Raphael and Michelangelo in the Vatican made a deep impression on him; on his return he reoriented his art toward neoclassicism.
1899
Exhibition at Durand-Ruel's and the breakup of the Nabis
Tensions among the Nabis came to a head at the exhibition at Durand-Ruel's gallery; from then on each went his own way in art, while remaining on friendly terms.
1899
First official recognition: a state purchase
The French state acquired one of the paintings of the "Muses" series — the artist's first official recognition.
7 April 1899
Daughter born: Bernadette Denis
12 July 1901
Daughter born: Anne-Marie Poncet-Denis