This is Matisse

In the history of twentieth century modernism, Henri Matisse is a calm and unstoppable revolution of creative genius. Trained originally in the French classical manner, he was inspired by the Impressionists and Cézanne to create in a style that brought out the beauty of colour, form and line by reducing them to their essentials.

While considered a leader of the Fauves and an inspiration to most of the great figures in modern art, he wasn’t particularly interested in being associated with any particular school or trend. A family man who worked ‘office hours’ in his studio he defies the image of the artist as enfant terrible or tortured soul. In a career spanning six decades, he produced masterpiece after masterpiece that constantly challenge how we perceive colour and form.

About the Author

Catherine Ingram obtained a First Class Honours degree at Glasgow University. After finishing her D.Phil, she was made a Prize Fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford. Agnès Decourchelle is an illustrator who primarily works in pencil and watercolours. She received her Diploma in illustration in Paris and an MA in Communication Art and Design. She lives and works in Paris.