Maurice Denis
This small work by Maurice Denis is one of the most important examples of Nabis art. It depicts a view from a terrace in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris. Bathed in light filtered through the tree canopy, the simplified female figures are set against a flattened space. The composition is dominated by combinations of intense colors. Here, the artist departs from the traditional approach to painting as faithful imitation in favor of expressing his inner experiences through shapes and colors.
The painting was created in 1890. In the same year, Denis published an article entitled The Definition of Neotraditionalism in the magazine Art et Critique, which was regarded as a manifesto for the new movement. The artist defined the Nabis’ approach to painting as follows: "... before it becomes a warhorse, a nude woman, or any other anecdote, it is first and foremost a flat surface covered with paint in a specific order."
Sunlight on the Terrace perfectly embodies this new approach to painting. When viewing this work, the first thing we notice is the arrangement of flat, spreading patches of red, orange, and green. Were it not for the presence of simplified silhouettes of people and tree trunks, one might get the impression that this is an abstract work.
This beautiful artwork is now on show at the Royal Łazienki Museum in Warsaw until 15 November 2026, in the The Nabis. Prophets of a New Art exhibition. The exhibition reveals the fundamental role that the Nabis played in shaping modern art. Don't miss it while in Warsaw!
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P.P.S. Discover more about the Nabis and the artists who helped shape this bold new approach to painting.