Henri Matisse (1869–1954) holds a prominent place in art history as one of the most innovative and influential figures of 20th-century modern art. Born in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France, Matisse originally studied law, but a period of convalescence following an illness led him to discover painting—an encounter that transformed the course of his life. His classical training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris provided him with a solid technical foundation, yet he soon began to push beyond the limits of traditional styles to develop his own expressive language.
In 1905, at the Salon d’Automne exhibition in Paris, Matisse and a group of young artists introduced Fauvism to the art world. Fauvism rejected naturalistic color in favor of bold, vibrant, and unexpected tones, while advocating expressive brushwork that emphasized emotional impact over strict realism. This movement became the basis for Matisse’s lifelong exploration of the formal and psychological functions of color.
Among his most iconic works, La Danse (Dance, 1910) conveys rhythm and harmony of the human body through a simple arrangement of figures, while La Musique (Music, 1910) offers a melodic visuality through its limited figures and balanced color composition. Femme au chapeau (Woman with a Hat, 1905) represents the bold palette and innovative approach to portraiture characteristic of Fauvism. La Gerbe (The Sheaf, 1953), meanwhile, is a mature example of the paper cut-out (papier découpé) technique developed during the artist’s late period.
Beyond painting, Matisse also produced work in sculpture, stained glass, illustration, and stage design. He is especially known for his explorations of the psychological and spatial effects of color. His art, uniting formal simplicity with chromatic richness, left a lasting impact on the development of modern art.
