Henri Matisse was a French artist born in 1869 who is known for his use of bright, unrealistic colors in his paintings. Some key events in his life included receiving paints as a gift while recovering from appendicitis, which sparked his love of art. He was influenced by trips to sunny places like the Mediterranean. In his later years after being diagnosed with cancer, he began cutting paper shapes and arranging them to create art, which allowed him to continue being creative from his wheelchair. His work was characterized by the use of bright colors, abstract shapes, repetition of forms, and cut paper compositions.

1. Artist’s Project
Henri Matisse
Betsy Waisel
June 7, 2010
Mr. Ito
8th Grade English

2. Vital Statistics
•December 31, 1869 –
November 3, 1954
•Male
•French – born in Bohain
(Northern France)

3. Key Personal Events
•Mother ran house paint section of family’s store
•Matisse got appendicitis and received paints as a
recovery gift
•Went to Academy Julian to study art, disliked drawing
in dark tones, wanted to brighten his paintings
•Traveled to sunny places like Mediterranean, Algeria,
saw bright patterns
•1941-Matisse diagnosed with cancer, had a surgery
that left him in a wheelchair

4. Key Historical Events
•Salon des Independants: Art exhibition in Paris in 1906
where Matisse’s use of bright, unrealistic colors were
compared to “fauves” (wild beasts) by art critic
Vauxcelles
•World War I: 1914, Henri’s paintings taken from an
exhibition in Berlin, felt fear for his country
•World War II: 1939, many German soldiers marched
into France, forcing Henri to move south. Henri’s wife
Amelie and daughter Marguerite arrested by Gestapo.

5. Stylistic Trait #1
Gouache Paper Cutouts
Sorrows of the King, 1952
Gouache: opaque water based paint that Henri used for
his cutouts

6. Stylistic Trait #2
Repetition
The Sheaf, 1953

7. Stylistic Trait #3
Abstract Shapes
The Snail, 1952
In many cases Matisse’s abstract shapes represented
something.

8. Stylistic Trait #4
Bright Colors
Composition, the Velvets, 1947

9. My Original Art
The Forest, 2010

10. Conclusion
Matisse:
•French male artist in
twentieth century
•Enjoyed color, cutouts,
abstract portrayals and
repetition
•Shows that obstacles
can lead to positive
results

11. Thanks. Questions?