The Nabis (Art of Century Collection)

Pierre Bonnard was the leader of a group of Post-Impressionist painters who called themselves the Nabis, from the Hebrew word meaning ‘prophet’. Influenced by Odilon Redon and Puvis de Chavannes, as well as by popular imagery and Japanese etchings, this post-impressionist group was, above all, a close circle of friends who shared the same cultural background and interests. Bonnard, Vuillard, Roussel and Denis were the most distinguished of the Nabis, but an increasing individualism in their art often threatened the group’s unity, and although tied together by a common philosophy, their work clearly diverged. This publication lets us compare and put into perspective the artists within this fascinating group.

About the author

Albert Kostenevitch is a graduated with a degree in humanities from the University of Irkutsk. He is an art historian attached to the Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, and a specialist in the Fauves and Nabis period of French painting.