Matisse

Step into the radiant world of Henri Matisse (1869–1954), the modern master whose expressive color, graceful line, and lifelong pursuit of visual harmony transformed twentieth-century art. This pocket guide follows Matisse from his daring Fauvist paintings to his portraits, interiors, sculptures, and celebrated paper cut-outs. Learn what to look for in his simplified forms, decorative patterns, fluid contours, and inventive use of color to create mood, rhythm, and balance. Fascinating biographical insights, memorable anecdotes, a personal portrait, and selected quotations reveal the discipline and experimentation behind art that often appears effortless. A spotlight on one acclaimed masterpiece offers a closer examination of the choices that made his work so distinctive and influential. With more than 65 full-color reproductions, this beautifully designed guide provides an uplifting introduction to an artist who found endless creative possibility in color, shape, and the pleasures of looking.