Natalia Rizo

Art 1010
Professor Bingham
October 15, 2017

Artist Report

Objective: Investigate the artist whose work inspires you to replicate his/her style.

Personal life

Name of Artist: Henri Matisse

Birth Date: December 31st, 1869- November 3rd, 1954

Birth Place: Le Cateau-Cambresis, Nord, France

What later life events (marriage, children, deaths, etc.) had a major influence on the
artist?
Henri Matisse decided to first go into studying law and worked as a court administrator in
Le Cateau-Cambresis after gaining his qualification. He later after studying law decided
to paint in 1889 after his mother bought him art supplies and he just felt passionate about
painting ever since. He was given art supplies by his mom because he has gotten
appendicitis and it helped him get distracted while being sick. Even though he described
paintings as paradise his father was disappointed. In 1891 he went back to Paris and
decided to attend Acadmie Julian and became a student. He later in life had a daughter
with Caroline Joblau, her name was Marguerite she was born in 1894. In 1898 he married
Amelie Noellie Parayre, they both raised Marguerite and then had two sons. Their sons
are Jean born in 1899 and Pierre born in 1900. The women in his life actually ended up
being part of his models throughout his life. His major influence was basically his mother
from the start of her handing those art supplies to him but of course he had artistic
influences as well for example Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin, Nicolas Poussin, and
Antoine Watteau.
Time Period

Describe what prevailing style of art was popular when the artist first started? (Your
description should be at least three complete sentences in length.)
During the time of Henri Matisse he emerged as a Post Impressionist which refers to
styles that emerged in reaction to Impressionism. The artists would turn away from light
effects and colors that would be too extreme or intense as they worded it. Although he
was interested in Cubism he rejected it and wanted to go into his development that was
Fauvism.

What new style did the artist start, or get involved in?
The new style that Henri Matisse developed was called Fauvism which was an early
twentieth-century art movement founded by Henri and Andre Derain. All artists used
vibrant colors and winding gestural stroke across the canvas. Each painting used color as
the foundation to be creative and stand out. He developed his styles from different
cultures like African Americans, Asians and Islamic Art.

What important historical events happened during the artists lifetime that influenced one
or more pieces? Throughout his lifetime he did develop Fauvism which influences a lot
of artist to change their style. Not only did they change their style they also continued to
change the way art was viewed. Many said that Henri Matisse rivalry was Pablo Picasso
during his lifetime. Henri ended up bringing out a new form of art. His pieces also has a
major influence because of his favorite artists as well as his family.

Name of the piece: The Dancers

What is it about? The piece is about dancers, as you can see within the painting they're
not all holding hands the front two are disconnected by Matisse still she's the knee being
a sort of connection to the piece. Henri was actually commissioned to make this piece for
a wealthy Russian named Sergei Shchukin. Sergei wanted paintings for his staircase. The
figures represented his Fauvism development, and represent some light pleasure. The
piece was focused mainly on pure joy. Although it was changed and seen as demonic.
Why did you choose this piece?
I chose this piece because it looked amazing, even though I can't see the faces quite well I
still could tell there was joy. The people simply dancing and going in a circle reminded
me of childhood memories in playing ring around the Rosie.

Name two elements of design that the artist used in this piece: Henri Matisse used mass
element to have height and width within the piece as well as depth in the people. Color as
another element to make the piece stand out and give a happy tone. Color is a source of
pleasure to the eye.

Name one principle of design that the artist used in this piece: Unity is a principle Henri
Matisse used by having a sense of oneness things belonging together and making a
coherent whole.

When you first looked at this piece what was your reaction to it? When I first saw the
piece I thought of it as a happy scene. There's people dancing around, and being united to
me it was either friendship or family.

Did your reaction change as you studied this piece? Explain.

It changed because it wasn't actually connected as I thought it was, it was disconnected at
the hands and I didn't realize until after I viewed it more and read about it. The knee is
what keeps the piece together, also it was seen as demonic which I don't quite see.

Sources

List two sources you used to gather your information

1. http://www.theartstory.org/artist-matisse-henri.htm#influences_header

2. https://www.henrimatisse.org/biography.jsp