Figure 1.--Édouard Vuillard painted some charming scenes in Parisian parks. Some were done in two or three vertical pannels. Children often figure in these scenes. The works are especially interesting because it shows how Parisian children used the parks. All or most were painted in 1894. The example here is Jardins publics" (Public gardens). Each of the three pannels had a title: "The Conversation", "The Nursemaids", and the "The Red Parasol". We see the children playing in the first pannel.

The collection as a whole provide a wonderful look at Paris before and after the turn-of-the 20th century with a number of images of children. His earlist rather formal academic studues gave way to the innovative Nabis paintings done during the the 1890s. These are the paintings for which he is best known and deal primarily with the avant-garde theatre. Less well known are his light-filled landscapes and several elegant portraits done late in life. There were several interesting subjects of special interest. These include his paintings in Paris parks and his portraits of aristocratic Parisian individuals. The park paibtings are particularly interesting because Vuillard shows them playing in the parks.

Parisian Parks

We note his paintings in parks and other outdoor scenes giving charming view of Parisain life. Some were done in two or three vertical pannels. Children often figure in these scenes. The works are especially interesting because it shows how Parisian children used the parks. All or most were painted in 1894. The example here is Jardins publics" (Public gardens). Each of the three pannels had a title: "The Conversation", "The Nursemaids", and the "The Red Parasol". We see the children playing in the first pannel. The painting seen on the previous page was also entitled "Jardins publics" and painted in 1894. Actually, he painted several scenes entitled "Jardins publics". Each had a destinguishing suntitle. We are not sure what the subtitle of the children in the forest was. It must have been a Paris park, but I am not sure which one. Here we see two boys playing, one wears a yellow beret and brown smock. I am not sure how accurate the colors are, especially the yellow beret. Also notice his striped scarfe. The other boy wears a sailor blose with a back flap. Both boys wear knee pants. Click on the image to see a girl playing in the park also dressed in a smock. Our Canadian artist adds, "There exists some 'tryptics' by Vuillard showing boys and girls playing in a park, probably the Luxembourg. These are important paintings and should be included in HBC. They show some of the period clothing very nicely.""

Portraits

In the later stages of his career, Vuillard turned to portraiture. His portraits feature prominant individuals in aristocratic Parisian society. He did several elegant portraits late in life. Only one we know of is a child--Claude Berheim de Villers who he pained about 1906. Unfortunately he have no information about Claude or his family. He obviously comes from a wealthy famiky. Claude has long hair and wears a fancy white outfit with white long stockings. The abstract style makes it difficult to make out detail.

Created: 3:25 AM 8/11/2008
Last updated: 3:25 AM 8/11/2008