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| Portrait of Paul Ranson by Georges Lacombe |
Continuing the theme of artists associated with Les Nabis, I’m taking a look at the work of Paul Ranson (1864 – 1909). Ranson was born in Limoges, France. As the son of a successful local politician, he received permission to pursue his artistic dreams and started studying at the Ecoles des Arts Décoratifs in Limoges, but transferred to the more prestigious Académie Julian in Paris in 1886.
In 1888, at the Académie, he met Paul Sérusier who encouraged him to join his post-impressionist art group Les Nabis. From 1890 onwards Ranson hosted meetings for Les Nabis at his home. Ranson’s work showed a consistent commitment to the decorative arts: like Aristide Maillol he made designs for tapestry, some of which were executed by his wife. His linear, sinuous style, seen in works such as Woman Standing beside a Balustrade with a Poodle, had strong affinities with Japanese prints and with contemporary developments in Art Nouveau design; it was a style suited to a variety of media, stained glass, lithography, ceramics or tapestry.
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| c1895 Woman Standing beside a Balustrade with a Poodle oil on panel |
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| 1890 Nabis Landscape |
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| 1880 Christ and Buddha |
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| 1891 The Blue Cliffs oil on canvas |
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| 1893 The Sorceress and the Cat oil on canvas |
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| 1893 Tiger in the Jungle lithograph |
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| 1895 Spring tapestry |
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| c1895 The Clearing or Edge of the Wood |
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| 1898 Picking Flowers oil on canvas |
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| 1899 Arums et Iris Violets et Jaunes oil and tempera on canvas |
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| 1899 Chardons et Digitales oil and tempera on canvas |
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| 1899 Foxgloves |
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| 1899 Iris et Grandes Fleurs Jaunes et Mauves oil and tempera on canvas |
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| 1899 Tounesols et Pavots oil and tempera on canvas |
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| c1900 Three Bathers Among the Irises |
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| c1902 Vines |
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| c1905 Three Beeches |
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| 1906 The Bathing Place or Lotus |
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| Apple Tree With Red Fruit |
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| (Details unknown) |
