Untitled 

Paul Ranson made this painting without a title in the late 19th or early 20th century in France. Ranson was part of a group of artists called Les Nabis, who wanted to bring art into everyday life by making all kinds of things, from paintings to posters to stage sets. They took their inspiration from various sources, including medieval legends, Japanese prints, and occult philosophy. In this painting, a bearded man gestures theatrically towards a fantastical dragon-like creature in a lush landscape. The Nabis were interested in breaking down the traditional hierarchy between fine art and decorative art and challenged the academic art institutions of their time. They wanted to create a new kind of art that was both beautiful and meaningful, that engaged with the social and political issues of their time. To better understand the world that shaped the Nabis, we can look at period magazines, exhibition reviews, and artists' letters.