Moonlight

1889

The Exposition Universelle and the discovery of Hokusai

Vallotton showed several paintings at the Paris Exposition Universelle, and there he saw the gallery of Japanese prints, particularly Hokusai, which would strongly influence his work; he also collected such prints himself.

1889

Typhoid, depression and a rest in Zermatt

Poverty (his father's firm was struggling and could no longer support him), typhoid fever and then depression wore Vallotton down; in 1889 he went back to Zermatt in Switzerland for several weeks to recover, and painted several Alpine landscapes there.

1889

Meets Hélène Chatenay

Vallotton met Hélène Chatenay, who worked in a Swiss factory or shop; she became his companion for ten years.

1891

Leaves the Salon for the Indépendants

Showing at the official Salon des Artistes for the last time, Vallotton exhibited six paintings at the avant-garde Salon des Indépendants for the first time. Commissions from Swiss patrons began to arrive at the same time.

1899

Married: Gabrielle Bernheim

after 1901

Gives up the woodcut for painting

After 1901 Vallotton made few prints and devoted himself to painting (he had been turning to it increasingly since 1899): after his marriage the woodcut ceased to be his main income, and the Galerie Bernheim-Jeune, with which he formed a solid relationship, mounted a Nabis exhibition including ten of his works.