The Artist

HENRI MATISSE

Collage

by

Henri

Matisse

Henri Matisse created in a variety of media during his long life. He lived from 1869 – 1954. He is best known for his paintings and his paper cut out collages.

HENRI MATISSE

As a child and a young man, he had no interest in art. After high school, he studied law.

At age 21, he had to stay in the hospital for a long time. During his hospital stay, he became interested in painting and art.

The Red Studio is a well known Matisse painting.

I will learn a little bit about Matisse and his painting.

Matisse was a hard working artist. He was passionate about his art. He learned drawing and painting at art School, Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He chose painting as his profession.

An Early Painting by Matisse

Studio Under the Eaves, 1903 Oil on Canvas Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge, Mass.

Interior at Collioure 1905 Oil on Canvas Private collection Switzerland

Matisse painted hundreds and hundreds of paintings, in his lifetime. !

Matisse painted his friends. As time went on, his paintings became more abstract. He was more interested in designing with colors and shapes than making the picture look real. Andre Durain, 1905

Oil on canvas Tate Gallery London, England Europe

Matisse painted what he saw around him everyday. He painted nature.

The Bank Oil on canvas Krunstmuseum Basle

Like all great artists, Matisse explored art from different times in history, other cultures, and the art of his fellow artists. He was very influenced by the patterns he saw in African tribal art.

Detail of rafia applique Kuba Kingdom, Zaire

Below are examples of patterns in African textiles.

Bogolan mud-dyed cloth of Mali

* Examples from The Art Of African Textiles by Duncan Clarke

I see many patterns in Matisse’s work.

Harmony in Red 1908 Oil on canvas Hermitage Leningrad

I notice the way Matisse’s lines extend off the edge of the canvas. I see the bold use of shape and pattern.

The Lorrain Chair, 1919 Oil on Canvas Private Collection

I can identify bright and bold patterns in this Matisse painting. I know the beautiful patterns in African art influenced Matisse.

The Egyptian Curtain 1948 Oil on Canvas Phillips Collection Washington

Next collages….

Matisse liked arranging shapes to make beautiful compositions.

When Matisse was older, he worked on his paper cutout collages.

Collage by Henri Matisse

Matisse used simple, bright colors.

Collage by Henri Matisse

Collage by Henri Matisse

He didn’t care about things looking too Real.

Collage by Henri Matisse

Collage by Henri Matisse

Matisse collage designs have been used to make stain glass windows.

Interior of the Chapel of the Rosary Venice, 1950 The Tree of Life, stained glass

These works are only a very small sample of the art work of Henri Matisse. Many books have been written about him.

That’s all about Henri Matisse.

* Matisse paintings are from Henri Matisse by Volkmar Essers.