Why Is Henri Matisse Important

Henri Matisse

During this semester we have discussed numerous interesting artist with all sort of artistic styles and views. I have viewed so many different artist works, painting, sculptures, objects, etc., but this one particular oil painting by Henri Matisse really stuck out to me like a sore thumb. The name of the painting is Le bonheur de vivre (The Joy of Life) 1905-1906. This painting was significant to me because Matisse's view of women and the message that motivated him was clearly portrayed in this remarkable piece he flawlessly created. Below I will discuss Matisse's work of art in particular, the style of the artwork, describe what this painting looks like, what symbols he as an artist used, whether or not they were effective,
what the artist is trying to tell us as a viewer, and whether or not I agree with him.
First, In my opinion, from what I have read and researched Matisse was a very positive skilled artist who has contributed to art as a history and legion. "Henri Matisse was born in 1869, this was the year the Cutty Shark was launched. Ironically, the year he died was 1954, the first hydrogen bomb exploded at Bikini Atoll. However, not only did he literally live on from one world into another so to speak. Point being made is that Matisse lived through some of the most traumatic political events in record history. Matisse lived through the worst wars, the greatest slaughters, and the most demented rivalries of ideology without it even affecting him (or at least it wasn't shown through his work) . Matisse never made a moral improve painting or signed a manifesto. Matisse has scarcely one reference to a political event documented, or neither the less an expression of political opinion found anywhere in his writings. Just maybe Matisse did suffer
from fear and loathing like everyone else, but there is no trace of them in his work. His artwork has a history portrayed as a production of images of comfort, refuge, and balanced satisfaction. Matisse's work does not leave a trace of the alienation, conflict of modernism, or negative energy that is often reflected in others painting where they allow their personal depressions to show. His paintings are the equivalent to that ideal place, where as whoever and whatever a person goes through they can gaze upon his gift and temporarily put themselves at peace. Henri Matisse importance to art history is very substantial because the art of our century has been dominated by two men: Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. They are artists of classical greatness, and their visionary forays into new art that has changed our understanding of the world. Secondly, Matisse's artistic career was very long and sometimes varied, he covered many different styles of painting from impressionism to near abstraction.
However, early on in his career Matisse was viewed as a Fauvist, and his celebration of bright colors reached its peak in about 1917. In 1905, Henri Matisse, created The Joy of Life painting and to the audience this is a remarkable vision upon the eye. Matisse used symbols that were bold, flat, contrasting colors to create a work with much impact on the audience. He simplified figures with strong outlines in which they are all finding their own peace in their own way. This celebration consist of some dancing, others relaxing, while the couple in the lower right are embracing each other. I have a particular interest in this painting because I appreciate the message that Matisse sends in this painting which was very heroic of him during this time era. Joy of Life, which is clearly very dreamlike and playful, while it seemingly illustrates a wonderful celebration that invites anyone in the world to join. When people gather to celebrate, there is normally music, dancing, and talking. In which, in my opinion, Matisse portrayed in this painting (a hidden message). This was Matisse way of exposing women, not as villains, predators, prey, or victims, but as nurturers and caregivers. This painting indicated that women should not be look upon as dark sexual images, but as a celebration of life that should be honored
and appreciated. Although the effectiveness of his work lies in the eye of the beholder, the value of women that Matisse symbolized in this painting also actualized in his own life which is very effective to me. Matisse was trying to tell his audience that the world should stop being chauvinist and cruel toward women, but to appreciated life by sharing it with one another and living each day as a celebration despite any negativity going on around us. To conclude, I definitely agree with his message behind this painting, and I commend him as well for being one of the first artist to express his feeling through his art about women worth to the world. Also, Matisse studio was a world within the world: a place of equilibrium that, for sixty continuous years, produced images of comfort, refuge, and balanced satisfaction. It is important in life to be very determined, disciplined, and positive to succeed. Nowhere in Matisse's work does one feel a trace of the alienation and conflict which modernism, which so typically occurred in our century, and so often reflected. In closing, I have viewed many different artist works, painting, sculptures, objects, etc., but this one particular oil painting by Henri Mattise really took the cake.