Jardin sous la neige (1909) by Maurice Denis

Maurice Denis (1870–1943), French, A key figure in the transition from Impressionism to modern art, this French painter was a founding member of the Nabis, a group of avant-garde artists who sought to break free from naturalism. Deeply influenced by Paul Gauguin’s synthetism, he embraced flattened forms, bold colors, and symbolic content, often infusing his work with spiritual and domestic themes. His famous declaration, *"Remember that a painting—before being a warhorse, a nude woman, or some anecdote—is essentially a flat surface covered with colors assembled in a certain order,"* became a manifesto for modernist abstraction.
Though initially inspired by religious subjects, his later work shifted toward intimate scenes of family life, rendered with a quiet lyricism. The soft, dreamlike quality of his compositions—whether depicting gardens, mothers with children, or classical myths—blended decorative elegance with emotional depth. His theoretical writings also left a lasting impact, bridging symbolism and the emerging abstract movements. While less radical than some contemporaries, his harmonious balance of form and feeling made him a subtle yet enduring influence on 20th-century art.