Our Souls, in Languorous Gestures

Our Souls, in Languorous Gestures

Maurice Denis

1899

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see two figures lying close, their bodies soft curves against a flat, patterned background. The colors are muted—pinks, greens, and blues—with no sharp edges or deep shadows. Denis made this as part of a series about his wife, Marthe. The titles came from his personal journal, turning private moments into art. The shapes are simple, almost like a dream, leaving room for you to feel rather than just see. If you like this quiet, personal style, look up the technique called *sfumato*.

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