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Henri Matisse

Born on December 31, 1869, in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France, into a family of grain merchants.
Initially studied law and worked as a clerk in a law office. However, in 1890, during an illness, he began painting to pass the time and discovered his calling.
In 1891, he enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under the Symbolist Gustave Moreau. It was there that Matisse began to develop his unique style.

Creative Path of Henri Matisse

Start of Career: Inspired by Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, Matisse experimented with color and light. He studied the works of Cézanne, Gauguin, and Van Gogh.
Fauvism (1904–1908): Together with André Derain and Maurice de Vlaminck, Matisse became the leader of Fauvism—a movement that rejected traditional rules of perspective and shadow, focusing instead on bright, pure colors. The key work of this period was the painting "Woman with a Green Hat" (1905).
Transition to Simplification: After Fauvism, Matisse began simplifying forms, striving for harmony between color and composition. His works became more decorative and abstract.
Influence of Travel: Trips to North Africa and Oceania had a profound impact on his palette and themes. The vibrant colors and patterns of these regions appeared in his works, such as "The Algerian Women" (1909).

In 1941, Matisse underwent intestinal surgery, after which he was forced to abandon oil painting. However, this did not stop his creativity. He developed the technique of "cut-outs" (gouache cut-outs), creating vibrant, dynamic compositions from colored paper. This period is considered one of the most productive and innovative in his career.
One of the famous projects of this time was the design of the Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence (1947–1951), where Matisse combined architecture, stained glass, mosaics, and textiles.

Matisse was married to Amélie Noellie, with whom he had three children. For many years, his model and muse was Lydia Delectorskaya.
He passed away on November 3, 1954, in Nice, France, leaving behind an immense legacy, including over 200 paintings, drawings, collages, and sculptures.
His works are housed in the world's leading museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.