Springtime c. 1894 - 1899

Maurice Denis's "Springtime" uses pastels to create a dreamlike scene of figures in a landscape, blending elements of classical allegory with the artistic ideals of his time. Pastels are interesting: they are essentially pure pigment, bound together with just enough medium to hold their form. This gives them an incredible softness and luminosity, as you can see here. The artist uses this quality to his advantage, creating a hazy, ethereal atmosphere. Notice how the colors blend almost imperceptibly, giving the impression of a fleeting moment captured in time. Denis was associated with the Nabis, a group of artists interested in symbolism and spirituality. The pastel medium suited their interest in subjective experience, in the way that a scene felt, not just how it looked. The labor is also significant; pastels require a delicate touch and a careful layering of colors to achieve the desired effect. Ultimately, the artwork invites us to consider the symbolic possibilities of the medium itself, and how its inherent qualities can be harnessed to evoke a sense of beauty and spiritual depth.