La vie devient précieuse, discrète
Medium
color lithograph on thin yellowish/cream wove paper
Dimensions
image: 27.1 × 40.5 cm (10 11/16 × 15 15/16 in.) sheet: 39.3 × 53.1 cm (15 1/2 × 20 7/8 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Rosenwald Collection
Accession Number
1943.3.3415
Art Historical Context
Maurice Denis, a leading member of the Nabi group and a pioneer of Symbolist art, created this evocative color lithograph between 1892 and 1899. Titled *La vie devient précieuse, discrète* (“Life becomes precious, discreet”), the print reflects the artist’s interest in spiritual themes and the quiet beauty of everyday existence. Published by the influential dealer Ambroise Vollard and expertly printed by Auguste Clot, it belongs to the vibrant wave of artistic lithography that flourished in France at the turn of the century. The delicate medium of color lithography on thin yellowish wove pape...