HENRI MATISSE By Laura Grant

Matisse : Master of Color and Form Henri Matisse was one of the most influential figures in modern art history. His use of bold colors, broad strokes, flat patterns, and free forms would help to inspire other artists to break away from the pictorial traditions set by the previous Impressionist movement. Collectively, their work was known as Fauvism (wild beasts), and would eventually give rise to more abstract art, such as Cubism and Surrealism.

Early Life Born December 31, 1869 in a small industrial town in northern France. Studied in Paris to become a lawyer. While recovering from appendicitis, started painting. Decided to change career path. Studied at two premier art schools in Paris. First, the Académie Julian and then the École des Beaux. Style closely resembled that of previous masters.

Woman Reading This is one of Matisse’s first paintings. The colors are muted and the forms are traditional and within perspective.

Matisse’s Breakthrough Matisse’s instructor, Moreau, encouraged individuality. Studies for a year in England in Marries his wife, Amelie, same year. Matisse was greatly influenced by Cezanne and van Gogh, as well as Cross and Signac. Experiments with Pointillism, eventually creating his own style. Reveals his new technique at a large exhibition. A critic snubs the work as that of a “wild beast”, and thus dubs the new style as Fauvism.

Pointillism vs Fauvism Paul Signac, Woman with a Parasol Henri Matisse, Woman with a Hat -1905

Fauvism Fauvism literally means “wild beasts.” Characterized by bold colors, flat patterns, and free or distorted forms to convey emotion. Matisse’s younger colleagues dubbed him the “King of the Beasts.” Many of Matisse’s colleagues would move on to Cubism, which was mastered by his rival, Pablo Picasso.

Matisse’s Fauvism Green Stripe

Self Portrait

The Joy of Living

Harmony In Red

Matisse’s Success Despite Some critics, Matisse enjoyed a good level of success. Commissioned to do mural panels for a Russian. Gertrude Stein, a prominent collector, purchased Matisse’s work. Had several exhibitions of his works that delighted his audience. By 1920, Matisse’s works were world-renown. Was able to travel across Europe and North Africa, where he gained more inspiration for later work.

Dance and Music - Mural Panels 1910

Gertrude Stein’s Collection Girl with Green Eyes

Boy with a Butterfly Net

Blue Nude

Later Life Matisse had three children with his wife. He tutored artists without pay for fear of being tied down to one place. He eventually settled in southern France in the city of Nice. He was commissioned to design the stained-glass at a chapel in Vence. He illustrated a poetry book and did some sculptures. From 1940 on, Matisse was too sick to paint. Instead, he cut out colored paper and pasted it to canvass. He compiled his works along with his written thoughts in a volume called Jazz. Matisse died in 1954 at the age of 84.

Drawings by Matisse

Jazz

Matisse on his art: "What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity, devoid of troubling or disturbing subject matter...a soothing, calming influence on the mind, something like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue."