Artwork Replica Portrait of Mme. Matisse, 1905 by Henri Matisse (Inspired By) (1869-1954, France) | WahooArt.com

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"Portrait of Mme. Matisse"

Henri Matisse (i) - 41 x 33 cm - 1905 - Fauvism (i)

Introduction

The Portrait of Mme. Matisse, also known as The Green Stripe, is a portrait by Henri Matisse of his wife, Amélie Noellie Matisse-Parayre. Completed in 1905, this oil painting on canvas is named for the green band that divides the face in half, by which Matisse sought to produce a sense of light, shadow, and volume without using traditional shading.

Artistic Context

The Portrait of Mme. Matisse is an example of Fauvism, a predominantly French art movement that developed roughly between 1886 and 1905. Fauvism emerged as a reaction against Impressionists' concern for the naturalistic depiction of light and color, with artists instead focusing on the expressive use of pure color. Matisse was one of the leading figures of this movement, along with André Derain and Maurice de Vlaminck.

Composition

The composition of Portrait of Mme. Matisse consists of a portrait of Madame Matisse in the foreground and a background bisected into several distinct areas of color. Along with the subject of Madame Matisse, color is the focus and most significant element of the work, with the two halves of her face in different colors, one in flesh tones and the other in pale greens. A green stripe separates the two sides of the face, acting as an artificial shadow and dividing the face in a traditional portraiture style, with a light and dark side. The natural light is interpreted as colors and the visible brush strokes enhance the sense of artistic drama.

Interpretation

Matisse has used color here to illustrate the emotions he feels for his wife. These colors are primarily vibrant, striking shades of orange, red, yellow, purple and green, accompanied by the use of a cooler, calmer sea green and black. This combination of bold colors provides a striking contrast to the eye. Interpretation of the piece unearths an example of Matisse’s ability to use color for emotional appeal. He is able to convey a love of his wife through the vibrant hues and expressive brushstrokes.

Reception

When the painting was exhibited in Paris in 1906, such works were being derisively labeled as the creations of Les Fauves (the wild beasts). Both admirers and critics of Matisse have characterized The Green Stripe as a disturbing image: a friend of the painting's owners Michael and Sarah Stein called it "a demented caricature of a portrait", and in 1910 the critic Gelett Burgess wrote that The Green Stripe was Matisse’s "punishment" of Amélie that compelled the viewer "to see in her a strange and terrible aspect." The art historian John Klein has suggested that difficulties in the Matisses' marriage may have contributed to the portrait's impersonal and mask-like character.

Conclusion

The Portrait of Mme. Matisse is a masterpiece of Fauvism, showcasing Henri Matisse’s innovative use of color and expressive brushstrokes. This painting is a testament to the artist's ability to convey emotion through art, and remains a significant work in the history of modern art. To learn more about Henri Matisse and his works, visit WahooArt.com. Sources:

 





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