The Les Nabis were a group of Post-Impressionist avant-garde artists who set the stage for modern art in the early 20th century. Named after a Hebrew word meaning “prophets,” the Les Nabis gathered around Paul Sérusier and Pierre Bonnard at the Académie Julian in Paris. Influenced by Paul Gauguin and Japanese woodblock prints, the artists of the Les Nabis sought to break away from traditional Western art forms and create a new style that would be more expressive and spiritual.
In addition to painting, the Les Nabis were also involved in poetry, theater, and interior design. Their work often featured flat areas of color and simple shapes, as well as a focus on the decorative rather than the realistic. The Les Nabis had a significant impact on the development of Cubism, Fauvism, and other avant-garde movements of the early 20th century.
Though the group was only active for a few years, the Les Nabis left a lasting legacy on the world of art. Their work paved the way for many of the innovative styles that would come to define the modern era.
