Interieur aux tentures roses I 1898 - 1899

Édouard Vuillard made this print, "Interieur aux tentures roses I", in France, though the date remains unknown. It presents a window into the domestic sphere, but one complicated by a flattened perspective. The pink wallpaper dominates, creating a sense of claustrophobia, perhaps reflecting anxieties of the era. Vuillard was associated with the Nabis, a group of Post-Impressionist avant-garde artists. They were interested in the decorative arts and challenged the traditional hierarchy that placed painting above crafts. Here, the wallpaper, normally a background element, takes center stage, blurring the line between fine art and decoration. To understand Vuillard's work more fully, we need to consider the rise of industrialization and its impact on the domestic sphere. We can look at sources like design journals and social commentaries of the time. This highlights how art is deeply entwined with social and cultural shifts, reflecting and shaping the world around it.