- Born in 1869 in Le Cateau, in Northern France.
- Matisse had little encouragement to become an artist in his youth. He passed his law exams and became a law office clerk. It wasn’t until he had an appendicitis and was bedridden for almost a year that he had the opportunity to explore his artistic abilities when his mother bought him art supplies to give him something to do.
- After he recovered from his illness, Matisse took drawing lessons while still working in the law office. It wasn’t long, however, until he left law completely to devote his life to art. He went to Paris to study art at the Académie Julian and became a student of Odilon Redon and Gustave Moreau.
- By 1896, Matisse was successfully exhibiting his paintings in Paris, where he was living at that time. Within the decade Matisse became recognized as the leader of the fauvism (wild beasts) art style. This is a style characterized by its unusual use of bold and often illogical colors. It was during this time that Matisse first met Picasso. Although their first meeting was not especially cordial, a relationship of mutual respect and professional exchange later developed. In fact, many of the artworks of both artists reflect the work of the other.
Left: Matisse's Odalisque with a Tambourine. 1926; Right: Picasso's Large Nude in a Red Armchair. 1929
- He believed the arrangement of colors was as important as a painting's subject matter to communicate meaning. He avoided detail, instead using bright color and strong lines to create a sense of movement. Continually experimented with the use of color and line throughout his art career.
Luxe, Calme, et Volupté, 1904-05
- In 1917 he left Paris to live in Southern France. After about a decade later, Matisse’s career had seemed to have lost its steam and he was called a “has been” by most art critics.
- It is thought that it was Picasso’s parodies of Matisse’s motifs that brought him out of his artistic slump. When comparing the two artist’s works during this time finds many similarities – a sort of visual conversation.
Left: Picasso's Woman with Yellow Hair. 1931; Right: Matisse's The Dream. 1940
- A serious illness in 1941 led to Matisse having to work from either his bed or a wheelchair. Undeterred by this and spurred by Picasso to continue, Matisse continued producing masterworks including “Large Red Interior, 1948.”
Large Red Interior. 1948
- Matisse died November 3, 1954 in Nice, France
