Dance 1910

Henri Matisse (1869–1954), an outstanding French artist. Born December 31, 1869 in Le Cato in the north of France. In 1892 he came to Paris, where he studied at the Académie Julian, and later with Gustave Moreau. The search for a direct transfer of sensations using intense color, simplified drawing and flat image was reflected in the works presented by him at the exhibition of "wild" (Fauves) at the Autumn Salon of 1905. In the Salon he exhibits a number of works, including "Woman in a Green Hat". These works, which made a scandalous sensation, laid the foundation for Fauvism. At this time, Matisse discovered the sculpture of the peoples of Africa, began to collect it, became interested in classical Japanese woodcut and Arabic decorative art. By 1906 he completed work on the composition "The Joy of Life", the plot of which was inspired by the poem "Afternoon of a Faun" by S. Mallarmé: the plot combines pastoral motives and bacchanalia. The first lithographs, woodcuts, and ceramics appeared. In Matisse's graphics, arabesques are combined with a subtle transfer of the sensual charm of nature. In 1907 Matisse traveled to Italy (Venice, Padua, Florence, Siena). In Notes of a Painter (1908), he formulates his artistic principles, talks about the need for "emotions through simple means." Students from different countries appeared in the studio of Henri Matisse. In 1908 S. I. Shchukin commissioned the artist three decorative panels for his own house in Moscow. The panel “Dance” (1910, Hermitage) presents an ecstatic dance inspired by the impressions of S. Diaghilev's Russian seasons, performances by Isadora Duncan and Greek vase painting. In The Music, Matisse presents isolated figures singing and playing various instruments. The third panel - "Bathing, or Meditation" - remained only in sketches. Exhibited in the Paris Salon before sending them to Russia, Matisse's compositions caused a scandal with the shocking nudity of the characters and the unexpected interpretation of the images. In connection with the installation of the panel, Matisse visited Moscow, gave several interviews for newspapers and expressed his admiration for ancient Russian painting. In the painting "Red Fish" (1911, Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow), using the techniques of elliptical and reverse perspectives, a roll of tones and the contrast of green and red, Matisse creates the effect of a fish circling in a glass vessel. In the winter months from 1911 to 1913, the artist visits Tangier (Morocco), creates the Moroccan triptych "View from the window in Tangier", "Zora on the terrace" and "Entrance to the kazba" (1912, ibid.), Acquired by I. A. Morozov. The effects of blue shadows and blinding rays of the sun are masterfully rendered.