Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse was a French artist widely regarded as one of the giants of modern art, often paired with Picasso as a leader of twentieth century painting. Born in 1869, he first shocked the art world as the leader of the Fauves, painters who used wild, non-natural color. Throughout his career he pursued joy, harmony, and the pure pleasure of color and pattern.

He painted interiors, dancers, and sunlit rooms full of rich, decorative color, always seeking a sense of balance and delight. Late in life, confined by illness, he invented a whole new art form, cutting shapes from brightly painted paper to make bold, joyful collages. Matisse's lifelong celebration of color and form has made him one of the most beloved artists of the modern age.