Henri Matisse

Born: December 31st 1869 (Northern France)

Occupation: Sculptor, draughtsman and painter.

Although he was known as the Fauve (wild beast) because of his ability to do his art differently he was very popular for his traditional French art . His mastery over using different colours to create contrast displayed the skill and technique he used to become a skillful painter.

Matisse went to Paris in 1887 to study law. After gaining his degree in law he worked as an administrator in courts across France. He only started painting and drawing in 1889 after his mother bought him some paints and brushes so that he had something to keep him occupied whilst recovering from an serious illness. He fell in love with art and decided to leave his career in law and become an artist, which really disappointed his father.

He returned to Paris, this time to study art at the Acad'emie Julian. In 1898 Matisse married Amelie Noellie who also was one of his models. Since then he became one of the most successful artists in the world.

In 1941 he was diagnosed with cancer and after surgery he had to use a wheelchair. Because he was confined to a wheelchair, he worked with assistants creating his famous paper collages such as The Snail which we can see in the Tate Modern in London.

Died: 3rd November 1954

The Snail

Woman with a Hat

Henri Matisse in 1913

Leo Fritzsch Amethyst 10.03.2018