MATISSE Henri

Biography of Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse (1869-1954) is considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century. He is best known for his paintings, but he was also an illustrator, engraver, and sculptor.

History of Henri Matisse

Born into a family of merchants in northeastern France, Matisse, as a young man, with his family's blessing, studied law in Paris. After graduating, he became a civil servant.

It was at the age of 20 that he turned to art after an appendicitis crisis that forced him to stay in bed for a long time. His passion for painting accompanied him during his long convalescence. This support led him to make a decision that changed his life.

He left his job and his old life to follow his inspiration.

At the age of twenty-five, Matisse became the father of little Marguerite, whose mother was the model Coralie Joblau. Marguerite posed for her father in many works executed at the beginning of the century (for example, "Marguerite," 1907).

Anecdote: Matisse often met Pablo Picasso, who was twelve years his junior. Their relationship, marked by rivalry, respect, and mutual artistic fascination, allowed both of them to grow. The two men were very close, and upon Matisse's death, the Spanish artist did not have the strength to attend the funeral and preferred to isolate himself completely at home.

Matisse is considered the best representative of the group of artists known as the "Fauves," which also includes André Derain and Georges Braque.

His most famous painting is "La Danse," which he executed between 1909 and 1910 for his friend, the Russian art collector Sergei Shchukin. There are two versions: one is located in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg (see below), and the other is at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Who are the "Fauves"?

This nickname was given in 1905 by the art critic Louis Vauxcelles for the violent and wild way they used colors in their works. For the Fauves, the powerful use of colors, detached from rendering reality, was a way to express their state of mind, their inner impulses.

Buy a Work by Henri Matisse

Our art gallery in Metz offers numerous lithographs by the artist Henri Matisse. Discover them below.