Paul Sérusier

Paul Sérusier was the painter who carried Gauguin’s ideas back to Paris. His pictures use flat areas of strong colour and simple shapes, and his small landscape The Talisman, painted in 1888 under Gauguin’s direction at Pont-Aven, became the founding image of the Nabis.

Born in Paris, he studied at the Académie Julian, where he met Maurice Denis, Pierre Bonnard and Paul Ranson. He spent much of his life in Brittany, painting its people, landscapes and traditional costumes. He later taught at the Académie Ranson and wrote a treatise on painting, ABC de la peinture. The Talisman and several of his Breton scenes are in the Musée d’Orsay.

Still Life with Churn shows his simple forms and bold colour.