The Nabis: Symbolist Prophets of Modern Art

Between 1888 and 1900, a transformative collective of young French artists known as the Nabis emerged, spearheaded by Paul Serusier after his inspiration from Paul Gauguin and Émile Bernard in Brittany. This group included prominent artists like Pierre Bonnard and Édouard Vuillard, who turned away from traditional art norms and Salon exhibitions. Emphasizing decorative forms such as murals and illustrations, they drew from Gauguin’s Synthetism and Japanese art. Their creations often intertwined mystical and everyday themes, with Serusier’s work 'The Talisman' (1888) highlighting their innovation. Although the group dissolved by 1900, their legacy influenced future movements in symbolism and abstraction.