Artwork

Title Page

Title Page, by Maurice Denis, 1899
Title Page, by Maurice Denis, 1899

Title Page is a print by the Impressionist artist Maurice Denis. It dates from 1899 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This print is a simple line drawing of a woman, identified as the artist's wife Marthe, seated in a chair with her face averted, set against a minimal, flat background.

Subject & Meaning

The work explores Denis's devotion to Marthe through a contemplative, everyday scene, inviting viewers to reflect on the theme by suggesting rather than explicitly depicting emotion or narrative.

Technique & Style

Characterized by soft, personal lines and the absence of depth or shading, the style evokes a sense of memory or intimacy, akin to the blurring effects of *sfumato*, though here applied to both form and interpretive meaning.

History & Provenance

Created as part of a series by Maurice Denis, a member of the Nabis group, this print pairs a visual moment with a diary phrase (not visually included here), aligning with the Nabis' emphasis on subjective experience.

Context

Part of the Nabis movement (founded 1889), this work reflects the group's focus on emotional, subjective art, encouraging viewer engagement through vagueness and suggestion.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Maurice Denis

Artist

Maurice Denis

Maurice Denis (French: ; 25 November 1870 – 13 November 1943) was a French painter, decorative artist, and writer.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.