1870 -1943 · Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Brittany and Nabi movement

Colorful solids, decorative arabesques and familiar spirituality make Maurice Denis the great theorist of the Nabis and a renovator of sacred art.

Maurice Denis was born in Granville in 1870 and lived almost his entire life in Saint-Germain-en-Laye before dying accidentally in Paris in 1943. A student at the Académie Julian, he met Paul Sérusier, Pierre Bonnard, Paul Ranson and the future Nabis. After the lesson given by Gauguin to Sérusier in 1888, Denis became one of the founders and the main theorist of the group, nicknamed the Nabi with beautiful icons. In 1888, Denis became one of the founders and the main theorist of the group, nicknamed the Nabi with beautiful icons. In 1888, Denis became one of the founders and the main theorist of the group, nicknamed the Nabi with beautiful icons. In 1888, Denis became one of the founders and the main theorist of the group, nicknamed the Nabi with beautiful icons. In 1888, Denis became one of the founders and the main theorist of the group, nicknamed the Nabi with beautiful icons. In 1888, Denis became one of the founders and the main theorist of the group, nicknamed the Nabi with beautiful icons. In 1888, Denis became one of the founders and the main theorist of the group, nicknamed the Nabi decorative. Deeply Christian, Denis nevertheless transports biblical stories to familiar gardens, houses and landscapes. The Annunciation at the Priory window thus unites sacred apparition and lived space; the Adoration of the Magi, the Annunciation and the Holy Family combine synthetic silhouettes, soft colors and domestic intimacy. After 1900, his art moved towards a renewed classicism nourished by Italy. He created vast secular and religious decorations, stained glass windows, engravings and illustrations. In 1919, he founded the Ateliers d'Art Sacré with George Desvallières in order to renew Christian creation. In 1919, he founded the Ateliers d'Art Sacré with George Desvallières in order to renew Christian creation. In 1919, he created vast secular and religious decorations, stained glass windows, engravings and illustrations. In 1919, he founded the Ateliers d'Art Sacré with George Desvallières. In 1919, he founded the Ateliers d'Art Sacré with George Desvallières. He created vast secular and religious decorations, stained glass windows, engravings and illustrations. In 1919, he founded the Ateliers d'Art Sacré with George Desvallières. and personal faith. The "Maurice Denis" selection notably compares Annunciation at the Priory window and The Adoration of the Magi. Its reading favors color.

Maurice Denis transforms everyday life into an icon: a window, a garden and a few flat colored areas are enough to bring the Annunciation into the familiar world.