Henri Matisse is a French painter and sculptor known for his explorations of conveying emotions on canvas through color and shape. The paintings of the French artist are striking in their eccentricity. The recognized leader of Fauvism tried many directions in the visual arts, before creating his own style, characterized by an unbridled character.
Biography
Henri Émile Benoit Matisse was born on December 31, 1869 in the town of Le Cato-Cambresi, in Picardy in northern France. His father was a successful grain merchant. The boy was the firstborn of the family, so his fate was predetermined from birth, while the first heir was obliged to take over his father's business in the future. However, the boy inherited the genes of his mother, who loved to spend her free time painting ceramic crafts.
Despite the child's hobbies, Anri was thoroughly prepared for the future family business, he studied at school, then at the lyceum. However, the obstinate son, against the will of his father, went to Paris to study law. With a diploma far from art, he returned home, where he worked as a clerk for several months.
The fate of the great artist was decided by illness. The creative biography of the gifted artist began in 1889, when Henri came to a surgeon with appendicitis. He was recovering after the operation for two months. In order not to get bored, Matisse took painting supplies and began to copy color cards. It was at this time that the young man finally decided what he would devote his life to.
Learning and getting started
Henri failed his debut admission to the Moscow School of Fine Arts, so he went to less titled educational institutions, where he was introduced to the basics of painting. Matisse entered the coveted School of Arts, the workshop of Gustave Moreau, in 1895.
At the beginning of his career, his circle of interests included contemporary art, but Henri was also curious about the Japanese direction. Symbolist Moreau sent his students to learn to “play with color” in the Louvre, where Henri copied paintings and tried to imitate the classics of painting. His master taught to "dream of color", from here Matisse got the idea to find suitable shades to convey emotions.
In the early work of the artist, one can observe a mixture of Moro's teachings with borrowed elements from recognized masters. In particular, the still life "A bottle of schidam", where on the one hand dark colors betray imitation of Chardin, and a mixture of black and silver and wide strokes - Manet.
Henri admitted that he perceives the expressive side of color intuitively. Rendering the autumn landscape, he does not think about which shades of color are suitable for this time of year, he is inspired only by the sensations of autumn. Thus, he chooses colors not according to any scientific theory, but according to feeling, observation and experience.
After the classics, the artist turned to the Impressionists, in particular Vincent van Gogh. Still dull in the early works, the color gradually gained richness, under the influence of impressionism, Matisse's own unique style began to appear.
In 1896, the first canvases of the novice painter began to be exhibited in art salons. The first solo exhibition did not cause much delight among art connoisseurs. Henri Matisse left Paris for northern France, where he tried his hand at the technique of point strokes.
At this time, the first masterpiece was created - "Luxury, Peace and Pleasure". The revolution in the artist's work happened in 1905. Matisse created a new style in painting called Fauvism. In the fall, Henri presented two works at the exhibition - the portrait "Woman in the Hat" and the painting "Open Window". The energy of colors shocked the audience and a wave of indignation fell on the artists
The founders of the style were dubbed the Fauves, that is, the savages. But such attention brought Matisse popularity and good money: the paintings had fans and they were happy to buy works.
Two of his most famous canvases - "Dance" and "Music" - Matisse created for the patron Sergei Shchukin. While working on sketches, the artist wanted to create something so that a person who entered the mansion would feel relief and peace.
After work, the artist went on a journey to the eastern fairy tale of Algeria, and when he returned, he immediately sat down to work - "Blue Nude" was written. Then the artist traveled to Europe and America. At this time, his work began to gradually lose the signs of Fauvism, was filled with subtlety and special depth, a connection with nature appeared.
Personal life
Three women adorned the personal life of Henri Matisse. In 1924, the artist first became a father - Carolina Zhoblo gave birth to the painter's daughter Margarita. However, Amelie Pareyre became the official wife of Matisse. This girl became the first close person who unconditionally believed in his talent.
In a marriage with Pareyre, the sons of Matisse were born: Jean-Gerard and Pierre. By that time, the couple took Margarita into their family for education. For a long time, the daughter and wife took the place of the main muses and models of the artist. One of the famous canvases dedicated to his wife is Green Stripe, painted in 1905.
However, at that time, the portrait of the woman he loved struck the then art connoisseurs with its "ugliness". The audience believed that the representative of Fauvism this time went too far with the brightness of colors and frank truthfulness.
At the peak of his popularity, which fell on the 30s, the artist decided to find himself an assistant. Matisse was living in Nice at the time. So a young Russian emigrant, Lydia Delektorskaya, appeared in the house, who began to perform the duties of the artist's secretary. Once Matisse accidentally saw Lydia in his wife's bedroom and immediately rushed to draw her. Since then, the girl has become the last and irreplaceable muse of Matisse.
Subsequently, Amelie divorced her famous husband, and Dilektorskaya and Henri had a harmonious relationship. Lydia is depicted on a whole scattering of drawings and paintings, among them the canvas “Odalisque. Blue harmony”. Henri Matisse died on November 3, 1954 in Nice from a microstroke.
