Matisse - A New Birth

So, this week, the boys and I learned about Henri Matisse.

I'm amazed that this was Matisse's first painting when he was eleven years old (below)

I'm amazed because it is so intricate, detailed, and lacking in color.  Then he went to his vivacious, colorful style which was so much more abstract.  

"Woman with a Hat" -1905

I guess I have thought in the past that the style of painting an artist is famous for is representative of how they see the world, and that it is the only possible style of art they are capable of.  Now, I realize this was naive because most great artists probably see the world in many different ways,  and have probably been trained to paint in a variety of different styles, but they settle on a unique style which becomes their signature style.  

"Christmas" 1952

I also thought it was interesting how Matisse was willing to take such a risk with his art through the use of fauvism.  Apparently, his countrymen in France were not impressed, but the wealthy Russians were, and that was all he needed.  I also find it interesting that Pablo Picasso and Matisse new each other and were competitors and critics of each other's work.  It reminds me of DaVinci and Michangelo.  How beautiful it is that he began what he called "painting with scissors" through the use of cut-outs after a surgery for cancer caused him to be wheelchair-ridden and in bed much of the time.  This new birth in his art allowed him to create some of his most admired and famous pieces of art.  Matisse said, "Only what I created after the illness constitutes my real self: free, liberated.” 

"Sorrows of the King"  1952

Finally, I appreciated Matisse's generous spirit as is shown through this quote from him: "What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity, devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter, an art which could be for every mental worker, for the businessman as well as the man of letters, for example, a soothing, calming influence on the mind, something like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue."

"Interior with a Dog" ~1934