And It Is the Caress of Her Hands - Maurice Denis

A delicate colour lithograph from the 1899 'Amour' portfolio, capturing an intimate moment through the soft, decorative aesthetic of the Nabis movement.

This colour lithograph, titled 'Et c'est la caresse de ses mains', originates from the 1899 portfolio 'Amour', a series of twelve prints by Maurice Denis. The Nabis group, to which Denis belonged, sought to move away from direct representation of nature, favouring instead a subjective, decorative approach. This work exemplifies that philosophy through its flattened perspective and soft, ethereal colour palette. The composition depicts a tender, intimate moment between two figures. A woman stands on the right, holding a small bouquet of roses, while a second figure leans forward to kiss her hands. The scene is rendered with delicate, muted tones of sage green, pale pink, and cream. The figures are outlined with minimal, flowing lines that merge into the background, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The floral pattern on the woman's dress echoes the organic forms of the surrounding foliage, reinforcing the decorative unity of the image. Denis was deeply influenced by the flat planes of Japanese woodblock prints and the synthesis of form found in the work of Paul Gauguin. In this print, the artist prioritises the emotional resonance of the subject over anatomical precision. The title, inscribed at the bottom, invites the viewer into a narrative of affection and quiet contemplation. The soft application of colour, achieved through the lithographic process, gives the work a watercolour-like quality, enhancing the gentle nature of the interaction. This piece remains a representative example of the Symbolist movement, where the artist aims to express internal states of mind through simplified, suggestive imagery rather than literal description.