Au lit (In Bed)
Painting on canvas • Édouard Vuillard (French, 1868–1940)
Style & Movement
Les Nabis / Post-Impressionism / Intimism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing flat areas of color, simplified outlines, and a matte, almost tempera-like finish characteristic of the Nabis school.
Creation Period
1891
Dimensions & Format
73 x 92 cm (approx. 28.7 x 36.2 inches); landscape format.
Subject Description
A figure, likely the artist's sister Marie, is depicted sleeping under a heavy white duvet. The composition is highly abstracted and flat, emphasizing geometric shapes. A cross-like form or letter 'T' is visible on the wall behind the head of the bed, adding a sense of stillness or domestic sanctity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent (based on the original currently held in the Musée d'Orsay); the digital reproduction displayed on the screen appears clear with no visible artifacts.
Estimated Market Value
$10,000,000 - $15,000,000 (estimation for the original masterpiece)
Auction Estimate
$8,000,000 - $12,000,000
Provenance History
Gift of the artist to Alexandre Natanson; later acquired by the French State and assigned to the Musée d'Orsay, Paris.
Art Historical Significance
A seminal work of the Nabis movement, illustrating Vuillard's early radicalism and his interest in Japanese prints (Ukiyo-e) and Japanese aesthetics. It is a masterpiece of 'Intimism', turning a mundane domestic scene into a near-abstract arrangement of shapes and tonal whites.
Notable Features
Signature and date 'E. Vuillard 91' in the upper left corner; radical bird's-eye perspective; limited palette featuring sophisticated variations of white and cream.
Condition Issues
The original work shows minor stable crazing typical of late 19th-century oils; however, as an image on a television screen, there are no physical issues.
Conservation Recommendations
For the digital display: calibrate colors for accuracy. For the original painting: humidity control and UV-filtered lighting to prevent pigment degradation.