The Story of Matisse (A Tribute to the Beloved and Admired of the Fauvist Master)

Author: A.S. Bate
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: These are three stories directly or indirectly inspired by the works of Matisse; a tribute sung by an admirer of the Fauvist master; a passionate visual portrayal created with the colors of words and the words of colors. The stories are not complex, but what we see is our own confusion and worries, and what we gain is the warmth of human understanding and solace. The text and illustrations complement each other, allowing both sight and soul to experience balance, purity, and tranquility simultaneously.
Henri Matisse was born in Cateau-Cambrésis in the north in 1869. His father was a grain merchant, and his mother had some amateur painting talent. After graduating from high school, he was employed as a secretary at an office in Saint-Quentin, working for a lawyer. In 1890, during an illness, he read an article by Guillaud on painting, which sparked his interest in art. He painted his first painting in his life (which he always devoutly collected): Still Life with a Cigarette Box. From then on, he was captivated by the demon of painting and attended night classes at the Beaux-Arts de Lille in Cateau-Cambrésis. Eventually, with his father's permission, he came to Paris. He first entered the Julian Academy and then enrolled at the école des Beaux-Arts, studying under Gustave Moreau. There, he met Louis Anquetin, Camille Claudel, and especially Marquet, with whom he had a close relationship. Like them, he received an intelligent and free education from his teacher, understanding the need to learn from both life and his teacher. Following this guidance, Matisse created many sketches and frequently went to the Louvre to copy paintings. His copies of Philip de Champaigne, Poussin, and Chardin revealed his artistic inclinations.
Matisse's creation was like that of a child. His highest praise for color was to paint like a child—children only paint what interests them, and all children's paintings feature large heads, large hands, and large buttons. The world is interconnected, like a dream—motherly love, love, and the natural emotions of the world are feelings shared by everyone, which is why they are always accepted in his paintings.