Gallery Description
Henry Mattise (1869-1954)
Born in a period of great political turmoil, Henry Mattise became one of the two greatest French painters of 20th Century, the other being Picasso. He was known as the leader of the Fauvist Movement and experimented with the expressiveness of colors throughout his career.
Mattise differed from his contemporary Picasso in that he was more traditional, methodical and temperamental. None of his paintings or other works have any commentary or even mention of the political situation prevailing in those times. His subjects were largely domestic or figurative, and a distinct Mediterranean verve presides in the treatment. Matisse's artistic career was long and varied, covering many different styles of painting from Impressionism to near Abstraction. His paintings were a celebration of bright colors; he spent most of his time on the French Riviera at Nice and Vence. Here he concentrated on reflecting the sensual color of his surroundings and completed some of his most exciting paintings. Mattise’s paintings had a very strong innate strength and calmness; they represent an ideal paradise world into which the audience are drawn.
Though Mattise had a strong tendcy towards extreme Fauvism, so much so that he was called the King of Fauvists, he had the self control to resist and check on the fauvism in his paintings. At a later stage, however, the extreme use of colors made his paintings explode with fauvism so much so that it became difficult for even his most ardent defenders to defend him and his painting.
However, his paintings remain the most beautiful to this day. Check out our gallery of Henry Mattise’s Paintings.
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