The gorgeous color and lines of Henri Matisse’s “Goldfish 1911”
demonstrate the style that made him the 20th century’s most
important French painter. Leaving law studies to pursue art,
Matisse became a master painter, printer, sculptor, illustrator
and collage artist. First labeled a Fauvist, his stunning
artistic versatility included primitive art, impressionism and
abstraction. Describing his art as balancing serenity, purity
and comforting subjects, Matisse was acclaimed during his
lifetime. Today’s artists are still profoundly influenced by his
unique use of color and form. French painter Henri Matisse (1869
– 1954) expressed joy through patterns, ornamentation and vivid
colors. Given a paint set while recovering from an illness,
Matisse described his discovery of art as “a kind of paradise.”
Originally labeled a Fauvist, he produced early works that were
remarkably mature. After seeing Impressionist and Japanese art,
Matisse made color instrumental to his work, and experimented
with expressive abstractio