Artwork
Cover
Cover is a print by the Impressionist artist Maurice Denis. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1898 by Maurice Denis, a central figure in the Symbolist movement and Les Nabis, *Cover* is a print held in the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, reflecting Denis's influential style that bridged late 19th-century European art and later modernist movements.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene, dreamlike scene: a tall, pale figure stretches toward a tree with white flowers, while a bird flies near a dark, wavy line (suggesting water or a fence) below. The inclusion of the French word *amour* (love) at the top may imply a symbolic or emotional connection between the figure and nature.
Technique & Style
*Cover* exhibits a distinctive blend of simple shapes and soft colors, resembling a painted-over sketch. This approach is characteristic of Denis's work, which often merged the spontaneity of sketches with the depth of painting.
History & Provenance
Published by Vollard, *Cover* was designed as the front piece for a collection of *douze lithographies en couleurs* (twelve color lithographs). The work's current home is the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Context
As a Symbolist and member of Les Nabis, Denis's *Cover* reflects the group's emphasis on expressive, emotive art. The piece also foreshadows elements of Cubism and Fauvism, movements influenced by Denis's theoretical writings on art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Maurice Denis (French: ; 25 November 1870 – 13 November 1943) was a French painter, decorative artist, and writer.
