Deux Nus 

Editor: This tempera painting is "Deux Nus," meaning "Two Nudes" in French, by Paul Ranson. It has this striking golden background, and the black lines are almost like abstract, organic shapes wrapping around the figures. What's particularly interesting to me is the strange, almost dreamlike quality. How do you interpret this work? Curator: That dreamlike quality is key, especially considering Ranson's engagement with Symbolism. The art world and market at that time valued individual imagination. We need to understand the social context to appreciate this: artists were pushing back against the academic styles, like Neoclassicism, that previously held so much power in the art world. Ranson was questioning this establishment in his works and embracing subjectivity, dreams, and emotions. What do you make of the prominent swirling lines throughout the work? Editor: They remind me of Art Nouveau, or even just a general embracing of organic forms, that would go on to inspire abstract painting, as they give this work movement. So you are suggesting that there are strong influences that have affected its shapes? Curator: Precisely. The choice of these flowing lines is influenced both by movements, and an exploration of psychological or spiritual ideas of the time, what you called the dreamlike quality. Ranson, as part of Les Nabis, was exploring esoteric philosophies; and wanted his works to operate on this plane, going against art establishment of the day. This challenges what was presented to the viewer as ‘valuable.’ Do you see elements of how these socio-historical elements are connected to these visual symbols? Editor: Definitely, the contrast of those sharp black forms that look both organic and animalistic are challenging elements, and makes the viewers uncomfortable by what is considered beauty, or nude. Curator: I agree. This new perspective made this a visual piece of that moment, reflecting, through art, its cultural values! Editor: I hadn't considered how avant-garde these aesthetic and narrative approaches would have seemed at the time, a unique perspective on viewing, or creating the art!