HENRI MATISSE

From Law Student to Influential Painter of the 20th Century

Henri Matisse was born on December 31, 1869, in Le Cateau-Cambrésis in northern France. Although he initially pursued a career as a lawyer, he discovered his passion for painting during a prolonged illness. His love for art grew so strong that he abandoned his law studies to devote himself entirely to painting. In Paris, he studied at the renowned École des Beaux-Arts, where he was first influenced by Gustave Moreau and 19th-century art but soon developed his own distinctive style.

Fauvism and the Explosion of Color

By around 1900, Matisse had become one of the leading representatives of the Fauves, a group of artists known for their radical use of color. Works like "Luxe, Calme et Volupté" (1904) demonstrate his experimental approach with vibrant, expressive color fields and highly simplified forms, consciously leaving behind traditional painting conventions. His 1905 trip to Collioure was especially significant for his artistic development. Art historian Raphaël Bouvier describes this period as a "Revolution of Color," giving Matisse newfound freedom in his use of color and form.

Henri Matisse, Luxe, calme et volupté, 1904 Öl auf Leinwand, 98.5 x 118.5 cm Musée national d’art moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris, Dation, 1982, Depositum im Musée d‘Orsay, 1985 © Succession H. Matisse / 2024, ProLitteris, Zurich Foto: © RMN-Grand Palais (musée d‘Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski


Henri Matisse: Luxe, calme et volupté, 1904 Oil on canvas, 98.5 x 118.5 cm Musée national d’art moderne, Centre Pompidou, Paris, Dation, 1982, Depositum at Musée d‘Orsay, 1985 © Succession H. Matisse / 2024,
ProLitteris, Zurich Photo: © RMN-Grand Palais (musée d‘Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski

Travel as a Source of Inspiration for Henri Matisse

Matisse's work was continuously influenced by his travels, particularly to the European Mediterranean and North Africa. His stay in Morocco, which had a lasting impact on him, offered new perspectives on light and composition. His search for inspiration in nature and art also took him to Algeria and Tahiti. The colors and light of these regions deeply influenced his work, giving it a new depth.

A Painter with a Longing for Idyllic Scenes

Another central theme in Matisse’s work was his search for an ideal, harmonious living space, often expressed in his paintings through serene, idyllic scenes. These works, which exude aesthetic richness and calm, can be partly attributed to the influence of poet Charles Baudelaire. Many of his paintings seem like invitations to a paradisiacal world, far removed from reality.

Henri Matisse, Baigneuses à la tortue (Badende mit Schildkröte), 1907-08 Öl auf Leinwand, 181.6 x 221 cm Saint Louis Art Museum, Schenkung Mr. und Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer Jr. © Succession H. Matisse / 2024, ProLitteris, Zurich Foto: Saint Louis Art Museum


Henri Matisse: Baigneuses à la tortue (Bathers with turtle), 1907-08, Oil on canvas, 181.6 x 221 cm Saint Louis Art Museum, Gifted by Mr. und Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer Jr. © Succession H. Matisse / 2024,
ProLitteris, Zurich Photo: Saint Louis Art Museum

A New Perspective on Light

In addition to color, light played a crucial role in Matisse’s art. His travels to southern France, Corsica, and North Africa helped him develop a new understanding of Mediterranean light, which profoundly influenced his work. He was particularly impressed by Islamic art and architecture, which gave him new impulses for his flat, expansive compositions.

Criticism of an Artist of His Time

Today, Matisse's engagement with foreign cultures is viewed critically, especially his fascination with the "Orient." However, his interest in these cultures went far beyond superficial appropriation. He engaged deeply with their art forms and integrated them into his work.

Henri Matisse, Les acanthes (Akanthus), 1953 Mit Gouache bemalte und ausgeschnittene Papiere auf Papier auf Leinwand, 311.7 x 351.8 cm Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, Sammlung Beyeler © Succession H. Matisse / 2024, ProLitteris, Zurich Foto: Robert Bayer


Henri Matisse: Les acanthes (Akanthus), 1953, Paper Cut-Outs, 311.7 x 351.8 cm Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, Sammlung Beyeler © Succession H. Matisse/ 2024, ProLitteris, Zurich Photo: Robert Bayer

Turning Limitations into Art: The Paper Cut-Outs

In the later years of his life, when Matisse was physically limited, he developed the technique of paper cut-outs. These colorful, large-scale paper works, created in the 1940s, are among his best-known pieces. Despite his physical limitations, he produced some of his most dynamic and vibrant works during this period, remarkable for their simplicity and intensity of color.

Death and Legacy of a Great Painter

Henri Matisse passed away on November 3, 1954, in Nice. His body of work revolutionized 20th-century art and continues to influence the art world to this day. His pieces, where color, form, and light merge, invite the viewer to step into new, painterly worlds.


 published on October 9th, 2024 – László Rupp

Veröffentlicht am: 09.10.2024