Jean Edouard Vuillard

A French artist, graphic artist and designer.
Representative of Symbolism and Art Nouveau, one of the founders of the group of artists “Nabis” (French “Nabis”, from Hebrew “The Prophets”).

The works of Vuillard are referred to the genre of “intimism” for the striving for the poetization of everyday life. Paintings of Vuillard, covering not so many themes, differs in harmony and original tonal decision, which makes it quite recognizable even among other “nabists”. The artist is famous not only for his paintings, but also for interesting monumental compositions. His frescoes can be seen in the foyer of the theater of the Champs Elysees, in the Palais de Chaillot and the Palace of Nations in Geneva.

Key Ideas:

– The typical features of paintings and other works of Vuillard are chamber scenes. Herewith, the images seem to merge with the background, become inseparable from it. Figures and individual objects are deliberately blurred, and this enhances their charm, imparting some secrecy to them. The artist uses color consonances masterfully, originally selecting their gamma.

– Works of the Nabis artist attract with their freshness and immediacy of perception, the subtlety of the emotional approach to everyday life, exquisite composition and the expressiveness of silhouettes. The artist’s paints that mostly have close to each other transitional shades create a special rhythm and a subtle feeling of the vibration emanating from the canvas.

– Having started his work in a manner close to the Dutch artists of the XVII century and Chardin, Vuillard quickly moved to Impressionism. In the interiors painted by the artist, human figures, mostly female, began to appear.

– The painter’s art became increasingly monumental with time, and his paintings became large in size. Over time, Vuillard began to create panels and wall paintings. In addition to home scenes, Vuillard liked to depict blossoming gardens and city parks in his canvases. Also, the artist was engaged in portrait painting, mainly to earn a living.

– The mature creativity of the artist refers to Symbolism. The most typical symbolic works of Vuillard were created in the manner of “intimism”. They depict figures in the interiors that make up a rhythmic unity within the background.

– The artist’s paintings are characterized by the form simplicity, two-dimensionality, a craving for warm, slightly muffled tones and shades. Sometimes, in the paintings, there are areas of a local dark color, which confirms their decorativeness.

– The distinguishing feature of the master’s paintings is emphasized ornamentation. The artist carefully paints the pattern on the wallpaper, the upholstery of furniture, and the dresses of heroines. Despite the abundance of small details, the canvases of Vuillard do not create an impression of congestion, but constitute a single harmonious ensemble.