Nimf met een kroon van madeliefjes 1899 - 1901

Maurice Denis made this print, 'Nymph with a Crown of Daisies,' sometime around the turn of the 20th century. We see it in the context of France's Third Republic, a period grappling with defining its national identity and artistic values after the Franco-Prussian War. Denis was a key figure in the Nabis, a group of Post-Impressionist avant-garde artists who moved away from visual realism. Here, a nude nymph adorns a crown of daisies, set against a backdrop of stylised trees. Denis references classical mythology, but through a modern lens. How does this fit into the social and institutional landscape of the time? Well, while the French Academy still valued classical subjects, artists like Denis sought a more personal, emotional, and symbolic approach. This print challenges the Academy's conservative standards. To fully understand this artwork, look to sources such as manifestos and exhibition reviews, which shed light on the artistic debates of the time. This reveals the intricate interplay between art, society, and institutions.