Complete Collection of World-Famous Painters - Matisse

Author: He Zhengguang, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features:
Background: Henri Matisse (1869–1954) was an extraordinary figure who received countless accolades and was revered as a "saint of painting." Some say that German music in the 18th century would not have blossomed so beautifully without the creativity of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. Without the pioneering efforts of Matisse and Picasso, 20th-century modern painting might have remained a wasteland. Matisse believed that painting was the "discovery of life," and creating vibrant works was his lifelong goal. Even in his later years, with his cut-out paintings, he remained committed to this objective. Matisse was a master of the Parisian school and the central figure of Fauvism. The starting point of Fauvism lay in the courage to rediscover the purity of means. Matisse said, "I have examined each structural element individually: drawing, color harmony, and composition. I have tried to explore how these elements combine to form a whole without diminishing the expressiveness of any part. I have diligently worked to integrate individual visual elements into a cohesive whole while allowing each element to retain its original characteristics. In other words, I respect the purity of means." In the 20th-century revolution in art, Fauvism achieved a decisive victory, and Matisse was a pivotal figure in the boiling period at the dawn of the 20th century, playing the role of a helmsman in the turbulent stream of new art. The main themes of Matisse's paintings included textiles, carpets, window frames, awnings, and courtyard landscapes. He depicted countless nudes and indoor scenes, such as The Nude (1927), where the straight body dominates the wavy background, harmonizing the dazzling hues of yellow, blue, and red to create a grand unity. Another example is the monumental painting Dance (1933), completed in 1933, where the dance is expressed through concise lines and luxurious colors, a masterpiece brimming with elegance and simplicity. I once visited the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg to see its collection of French paintings. One room was entirely dedicated to Matisse's works from different periods, with the two most important being Dance·II (1909–1910) and Music (1910), both celebrated as masterpieces of 20th-century painting. In their extreme flatness and simplicity, they respectively capture a frenzied sense of movement and a feeling of tranquility. Matisse was energetic in his youth, having traveled to Tahiti, the United States, Russia, and Germany, and later settled in the picturesque Nice in his later years. His lifelong pursuit can be seen as the guardian of the beautiful tradition of France, the descendant of the aesthetic movement. Here, I quote a passage from him as a conclusion: "The art I long for is an embodiment of balance, tranquility, and purity, free from anything that disturbs or depresses. For those weary of body and mind, it is like a balm, a sedative, or a comfortable armchair that relieves fatigue and allows one to enjoy the joy of tranquility and rest." (He Zhengguang) Matisse and Picasso were both giants of 20th-century modern art, and Fauvism further led the 20th-century revolution in painting. Led by Matisse, the Fauvist painters used colors like red, blue, yellow, and green to express the natural essence of simple objects, depict genuine emotions and decorative effects, and create works that were astonishingly free, unrestrained, luxurious, and balanced. Matisse's exploration in the realm of modern art, with its painting techniques rooted in Neo-Impressionism, later established the Fauvist style of simplified forms and harmonious, joyful colors. Striking colors danced passionately in the palette, while the dazzling, lively scenes and unrestrained, bright style created an Eden for Fauvism. He also pioneered the art of cut-out collages and applied painting language to sculptural techniques, allowing viewers to freely immerse themselves in the imaginative space of art. This book details the themes and periods of his life's works, offering a glimpse into Matisse's legendary and brilliant artistic career and painting style. Matisse's bold approach in modern painting and his magnificent, romantic artistic achievements shine like a blazing fire, illuminating the hall of modern art.