Cover was painted by Maurice Denis in 1898.

Where can I see Cover?

Cover is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Cover?

Cover is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Cover?

Museum-quality prints of Cover are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Cover

Maurice Denis , 1898

Cover is a print by the Impressionist artist Maurice Denis. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1956.278
Credit line: Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland

About this work

Overview

Created in 1898 by Maurice Denis, a central figure in the Symbolist movement and Les Nabis, Cover is a print held in the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, reflecting Denis's influential style that bridged late 19th-century European art and later modernist movements.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a serene, dreamlike scene: a tall, pale figure stretches toward a tree with white flowers, while a bird flies near a dark, wavy line (suggesting water or a fence) below. The inclusion of the French word amour (love) at the top may imply a symbolic or emotional connection between the figure and nature.

Technique & Style

Cover exhibits a distinctive blend of simple shapes and soft colors, resembling a painted-over sketch. This approach is characteristic of Denis's work, which often merged the spontaneity of sketches with the depth of painting.

History & Provenance

Published by Vollard, Cover was designed as the front piece for a collection of douze lithographies en couleurs (twelve color lithographs). The work's current home is the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

As a Symbolist and member of Les Nabis, Denis's Cover reflects the group's emphasis on expressive, emotive art. The piece also foreshadows elements of Cubism and Fauvism, movements influenced by Denis's theoretical writings on art.