Artwork
The Vaudeville Show Magician
The Vaudeville Show Magician is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Édouard Vuillard. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection.
About this work
Overview
Édouard Vuillard painted *The Vaudeville Show Magician* in 1898, employing oil on canvas. The work depicts a stage magician framed by a deep red curtain, his attire matching the backdrop in vivid reds. The scene captures a moment of performance, with an attentive audience occupying the foreground.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a conjuror poised with a wand, suggesting the anticipation of a forthcoming illusion. The spectators, rendered in warm, earthy hues, lean forward, conveying collective excitement and the theatrical atmosphere of a late‑19th‑century vaudeville show.
Technique & Style
Vuillard’s handling reflects his post‑impressionist leanings, using flattened planes of color and decorative patterning reminiscent of Japanese woodcuts. The palette of reds, golds, greens, and blues is applied in broad, interlocking shapes that emphasize surface over depth, creating a rhythmic visual flow across the canvas.
History & Provenance
After its creation, the painting entered the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings. Vuillard produced the work during his involvement with the avant‑garde group Les Nabis, a period that shaped his decorative approach.
Context
The late 1890s saw Parisian popular entertainment flourish, with vaudeville stages offering a mix of music, comedy, and magic. Vuillard’s choice of this subject aligns with contemporary interest in urban leisure and reflects the artist’s fascination with interior and theatrical spaces.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Édouard Vuillard (French: ; 11 November 1868 – 21 June 1940) was a French painter, decorative artist, and printmaker.
