Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was a French artist known for his paintings and paper cut-out collages. As a young man he studied law but became interested in art after a long hospital stay. He studied painting at art school and chose it as his profession. Throughout his life he painted hundreds of works in a variety of styles, from realistic depictions to more abstract designs focused on shapes and colors. He was influenced by African art patterns. In old age he created collages by cutting shapes from paper to make colorful compositions. Matisse explored art in different styles and cultures throughout his long, prolific career as a painter.

1. The Artist
HENRI MATISSE

2. Collage
by
Henri
Matisse

3. 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.

4. The Red Studio is a well known Matisse painting.
I will learn a little bit about Matisse and his painting.

5. 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.

6. An Early
Painting
by
Matisse
Studio Under the Eaves, 1903
Oil on Canvas
Fitzwilliam Museum
Cambridge, Mass.

7. Interior at Collioure
1905
Oil on Canvas
Private collection
Switzerland
Matisse
painted
hundreds
and
hundreds
of paintings,
in his
lifetime.
!

8. 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

9. Matisse painted
what he saw
around him
everyday.
He painted
nature.
The Bank
Oil on canvas
Krunstmuseum
Basle

10. 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

11. I see many patterns in Matisse’s work.
Harmony in Red
1908
Oil on canvas
Hermitage
Leningrad

12. 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

13. 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….

14. Matisse liked
arranging shapes
to make beautiful
compositions.
When Matisse was
older, he worked
on his paper
cutout collages.

15. Collage
by
Henri
Matisse
Matisse
used
simple,
bright
colors.

16. Collage by Henri Matisse

17. Collage
by
Henri
Matisse
He
didn’t
care
about
things
looking
too
Real.

18. Collage by Henri Matisse

19. 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

20. 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.