Henri Matisse (French, 1869–1954)
Purple Robe and Anemones, 1937
Although classically trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Henri Matisse (1869–1954) quickly rejected traditional illusionistic representation in favor of flat areas of vivid color and uneven smears of paint in his portraits, landscapes, and still lifes. In 1898, Matisse married Amélie Parayre, who would soon become one of his most important models, posing for many of his most revolutionary portraits. Early on, Matisse developed an interest in exotic fabrics and brightly patterned textiles, using them as compositional elements to boost his expansive and highly circulatory designs.
