Untitled 

Paul Ranson made this untitled painting, using oil on canvas, in France in the late 19th or early 20th century. The picture presents an image of idealized feminine beauty, but it does so outside the conventions of academic art. Ranson was a member of the Nabis, a group of young artists interested in spirituality, symbolism, and Japanese prints. They thought academic art was too materialist and they wanted to return painting to a more spiritual role. This interest shaped the Nabis' aesthetic choices and the way they used flattened perspective, simplified forms, and expressive colors. They were concerned with the public role of art and with its power to promote personal transformation. Historians of art look to publications, letters, and exhibition reviews from the period to learn more about the context of this image and the goals of the artist. We also investigate the history of institutions such as salons and academies, as well as the political conditions that shaped artistic production in France at this time.