I’ve been trying to slog through some books about Henri Matisse lately.
It’s a bit of a tough go, reading art catalogs. First of all, many of them are enormous; the kind that, were I to read one in bed, I would be at great risk for concussion if I dozed off. Secondly, the reader is required to flip to the Plate Section where the art reproductions are kept, to understand the biographer’s descriptions of the paintings.
Persistence can be rewarding though. Gradually the fog clears and a new way of looking at the world through the artist’s eyes, is revealed.
I’m not at the fog-free stage yet as regards Matisse. The study below incorporates some of my knowledge about Matisse’s work at this point.
After Matisse
12″x9″ 140# Cold Pressed Watercolor Block
Wonderful delicacy of line. I also see a map in there, I wonder why? N.
Thanks, Nina. The elements I aimed for in this composition were: portrait of the artist looking in the window; luxurious background (red with blue curlicues – could have been better); bottom half of nude in foreground. Bear in mind this is a relatively uninformed take on Matisse.
J
I don’t think anything you do is uninformed Jack.
Thanks for that, Nina, but I’m still at the beginning of my learning curve about Matisse and there is much to learn.
Best,
Jack
Matisse is always revealing something new to me. This has an air of anticipation that I like a lot. (K)
Thanks you Kerfe! Yes, he has such a wide-ranging body of work. It’s hard to wrap my head around it.
j