Nabis

Nabis [Heb.,=prophets], a group of artists in France active during the 1890s. Paul Sérusier and Maurice Denis were the principal theorists of the group. Outstanding members were Édouard Vuillard , Pierre Bonnard , Aristide Maillol , Félix Vallotton , and the lesser known Ker Xavier Roussel. The group held its first exhibition in 1892. Influenced by Gauguin , the Nabis developed a style characterized by flat areas of boldly juxtaposed but muted colors and heavily outlined surface patterns. They were unified by the decorative character of their work and their dislike of impressionism . After a successful show in 1899, the group gradually disbanded.

Bibliography: See study by C. Chassé (tr. 1969).

Nabis. A group of painters, mainly French, active in Paris in the 1890s; their outlook was essentially Symbolist and they were particularly influenced by Gauguin's expressive use of colour and rhythmic pattern. The name Nabis (Hebrew: ‘prophets’) was coined in reference to the missionary zeal with which they promoted Gauguin's teachings. Sérusier, who met Gauguin at Pont-Aven in 1888, was the driving force behind the group and with Denis was its main theorist. Other members included Bonnard, Maillol (before he turned to sculpture), Ranson (see académie), the Hungarian Josef Rippl-Rónai (1861–1927), Vallotton, Vuillard, and Vuillard's brother-in-law Ker-Xavier Roussel (1867–1944). They were active in design (of posters, stained glass, and theatrical decor) and book illustration as well as painting. Group exhibitions were held between 1892 and 1899, after which the members gradually drifted apart. Several of them, however, continued Nabis ideas into the 20th century, notably Denis and Sérusier, whose work remained esoteric in spirit and bound up with their religious beliefs.