Madame Sérusier with a Parasol - Paul Sérusier

A portrait of Marguerite Sérusier, featuring a striking orange parasol and simplified, flat planes of colour characteristic of the Nabis movement.

Paul Sérusier, a founding member of the Nabis, produced this portrait of his wife, Marguerite Gabriel-Claude, during his later period. The work reflects the artist's move away from the strict Synthetism of his early career towards a more structured, almost decorative approach to form and colour. The composition is dominated by the large, circular shape of the orange parasol, which frames the subject's head and creates a distinct visual rhythm against the muted, pale green background.

Sérusier employs a flattened perspective, typical of his interest in Japanese woodblock prints and the decorative arts. The figure of Madame Sérusier is rendered with simplified, solid planes of colour, particularly in her blue dress and the dark shawl draped over her shoulders. Her expression is calm, and her gaze is directed away from the viewer, suggesting a moment of quiet contemplation. The background, a simplified depiction of a grassy slope with sparse trees, lacks traditional depth, instead functioning as a backdrop that emphasises the two-dimensional quality of the painting.

This work demonstrates the artist's preoccupation with the relationship between colour and emotional resonance. By using a limited palette of orange, blue, and various shades of green, Sérusier creates a balanced, harmonious image. The brushwork is deliberate, with visible strokes that contribute to the overall texture of the surface. As a piece from the Nabis circle, it reflects the group's desire to move beyond the imitation of nature, favouring instead a subjective interpretation of reality through simplified forms and expressive colour choices. The painting remains a clear example of the transition in French art during the early twentieth century, where the influence of Gauguin and the Pont-Aven school continued to shape the development of modern painting techniques.