Maurice Denis

MAURICE DENIS (Granville, 1870-Paris, 1943).
"Piazza San Agostino", Siena.
Oil on cardboard mounted on board.
Monogrammed in the lower left corner.
Provenance: Galerie Druet, Paris, no. 9567, acquired in 1921 directly from the artist (label on reverse). James Binoche Collection, acquired in 1922 from the Galerie Druet. By descent. Private collection, Nice.
Exhibitions: "Maurice Denis", Galerie Druet, Paris, 21 November-2 December 1921, no. 14. "Maurice Denis", 1888-1924, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, 11 April-11 May 1924, no. 285.
Bibliography: Work registered in the Catalogue raisonné of the paintings of Maurice Denis under no. 921.0030.
An attestation of digital inclusion signed by Claire Denis and Fabienne Stahl will be given to the buyer.
Measurements: 43 × 31 cm; 54 x 41 cm (frame).

Piazza San Agostino is a representative work of Maurice Denis' lyrical approach to the Italian urban landscape. The scene shows a Sienese square of simplified architecture, bathed by a soft light and built by large areas of color, where human figures are integrated in an almost symbolic way in space.

The pictorial treatment responds fully to the principles of the Nabis, a group of which Denis was a fundamental theoretician: color is imposed on drawing, perspective is flattened and painting is conceived as an organized surface rather than as an illusionistic window.

Maurice Denis was a fundamental figure of symbolism and a founding member of the group Les Nabis, along with Bonnard, Vuillard and Sérusier. Trained at the Académie Julian, he defended a modern conception of painting, anticipating important developments in 20th century art.

His work evolved from symbolism towards a modern classicism influenced by the Italian Renaissance, with an outstanding production in mural painting and religious art. After World War I, he promoted the renewal of sacred art in France through the Ateliers d'Art Sacré.

His legacy is preserved and studied at the Musée départemental Maurice Denis in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the artist's former residence, dedicated entirely to his work and thought.