The series is based on fragments from Maurice Denis’ diary
Almost all of the titles of the prints can be found in Maurice Denis’ diary from 1891. He had recently become engaged to Marthe Meurier, and wrote passionately about his love for her. When he started work on a print series with the theme of love (amour) in 1896, he returned to the poetic passages in his diary.
‘Being in love makes one feel more beautiful. Attitudes are easy and chaste. Life becomes precious, simple; Dusk has the soft glow of old paintings. But it is the heart that beats too quickly, truth to tell’.
Maurice Denis, Attitudes are Easy and Chaste (Les attitudes sont faciles et chastes), 1899
Maurice Denis, Dusk has the Sweetness of Old Painting (Les crépuscules ont une douceur d'ancienne peinture), 1899
Maurice Denis, But it is the Heart that Beats too Fast (Mais c'est le coeur qui bat trop vite), 1899
