Paul Ranson was a leader of the Nabis, a group of post-Impressionist, avant-garde Parisian artists who melded images of nature with personal metaphors and symbols. Ranson (1864 – 1909) digressed by depicting exotic, symbolic or semi-religious motifs, reflecting his interest in black magic and mysticism, as well as his studies of BuddhismFluid and liner, his style was strongly influenced by Japanese prints and Art Nouveau designs. Ranson was also involved with the decorative arts, creating tapestry designs, stained glass, lithographs and ceramics. Ranson’s movement the Nabis, which means “the prophets,” were forerunners of abstract and non-representational art.