The Two Sisters-in-Law - Édouard Vuillard

A striking colour lithograph by Édouard Vuillard, capturing a quiet domestic scene through the flattened perspectives and bold patterns characteristic of the Nabis movement.

This colour lithograph by Édouard Vuillard, titled The Two Sisters-in-Law, originates from the 1899 portfolio 'Paysages et Intérieurs'. As a member of the Nabis, Vuillard focused on the domestic sphere, often obscuring the boundaries between figures and their surroundings through flattened perspectives and decorative patterns. In this composition, the two figures are integrated into the environment, their forms partially absorbed by the bold, yellow patterned wallpaper that dominates the background. The woman on the right, dressed in a dark, solid garment, leans against a table, while her companion on the left is rendered in a lighter, spotted dress. The use of colour is deliberate and non-naturalistic, reflecting the Nabis' interest in subjective expression over objective representation. The lamp at the top centre provides a vertical anchor for the scene, yet it remains stylised, contributing to the overall graphic quality of the print. Vuillard’s technique in this medium demonstrates his mastery of lithography, using layers of colour to build texture and depth without relying on traditional shading. The work captures a quiet, private moment, typical of his interest in the subtle interactions of daily life. By reducing the figures to essential shapes and focusing on the interplay of colour and pattern, Vuillard creates a scene that feels both intimate and detached. This print is a characteristic example of his contribution to the graphic arts at the turn of the century, where the influence of Japanese woodblock prints is evident in the composition and the bold use of flat colour fields.