Seven Interesting Facts About Henry Matisse
- By Brandon Fuhrmann
- Published 02/8/2010
- Arts and Crafts
- Unrated
For an artist with a life as complex as interesting as Matisse, seven interesting facts is just scratching the surface. This is a great beginning though and should start off with the early childhood of Matisse which is very colorful and enlightening. By being born in the 19th century in the South of France, Henry Emile Benoit Matisse was well on his way to becoming a lawyer after growing up in a seed business for the family Matisse. The winds of change blew as they normally do and Matisse was caught up in the moment and a great artist was born.
Matisse Was Father of the Wild Beast Movement Otherwise Known as the Fauve Movement
Matisse was known as the father of the ‘Fauvian Movement’ which was otherwise known as the ‘beast movement’. It was here and during this time that animal symbolism was created and Matisse was seen as one of the founding artist of that genre. Before that, artists were relegated to painting still lives and tutorial landscapes creations devoid of all wild beast influences.
Best Known for Paintings and Cut Outs
Henry Matisse was best known for his cut-outs, which were actual pictures that were independent of any other constructed activities. Of course, this great artist was first and foremost known for his works of ornately-decorated portraits. ‘The Dance’ is just one of many great masterpieces created by Matisse during his lifetime.
Produced 50 Bronze Sculptures
Matisse was more than just a great artist he was a great sculpturer as well. He produced over 50 bronze sculptures that to this day are seen as some of the best works of bronze. Matisse was known to have said many times that his aspiration for bronze work came from the work of David
in which he was able to see at a very young impressionable age while in Paris.
Parents Owned a Thriving Seed Business
The Matisse family owned a very successful seed company throughout the artist’s entire life. This formed a wood-solid foundation in both monetary and spirited support for the young artist in which he used as a springboard to success. Traveling was a big aspect of any young and impressionable artist, and Matisse was no different from all the other great artist of his day and age.
Matisse Earliest Career Goal Was to Be a Lawyer
Becoming a great painter was not the first and most primary career goal for Matisse. This role was said to be filled with dreams of becoming a great lawyer and the schooling for that endeavor was almost complete when Matisse found his artistic stroke. Thank goodness that Matisse turned to the brush instead of dulling legalities.
1905 Was the Most Influential Year for Matisse
To pinpoint one year as a defining moment in the artist life, 1905 would be such a year. It was during this year that Matisse went south to work with an artistic colleague and friend, in a little cultural town of Colour France. It was also at this point that his color stroke broke free and this is how some of the greatest works of Matisse were constructed such as the ‘Open Window’. A view through an open window became a recurring theme in most of Matisse’s work and would open the door for such great work as the ‘Open Window’ and ‘Flowerpot’s’.
Matisse Loved Patterns
Matisse found that patterns would be a staple in most of his artistic expression after the age of 25. Many of these patterns can be seen in his greatest works such as the ‘Red Studio’ in 1911. These are just a few of some of the very interesting facts of an artist we all have learned to love and cherish.
Matisse Was Father of the Wild Beast Movement Otherwise Known as the Fauve Movement
Matisse was known as the father of the ‘Fauvian Movement’ which was otherwise known as the ‘beast movement’. It was here and during this time that animal symbolism was created and Matisse was seen as one of the founding artist of that genre. Before that, artists were relegated to painting still lives and tutorial landscapes creations devoid of all wild beast influences.
Best Known for Paintings and Cut Outs
Henry Matisse was best known for his cut-outs, which were actual pictures that were independent of any other constructed activities. Of course, this great artist was first and foremost known for his works of ornately-decorated portraits. ‘The Dance’ is just one of many great masterpieces created by Matisse during his lifetime.
Produced 50 Bronze Sculptures
Matisse was more than just a great artist he was a great sculpturer as well. He produced over 50 bronze sculptures that to this day are seen as some of the best works of bronze. Matisse was known to have said many times that his aspiration for bronze work came from the work of David
Parents Owned a Thriving Seed Business
The Matisse family owned a very successful seed company throughout the artist’s entire life. This formed a wood-solid foundation in both monetary and spirited support for the young artist in which he used as a springboard to success. Traveling was a big aspect of any young and impressionable artist, and Matisse was no different from all the other great artist of his day and age.
Matisse Earliest Career Goal Was to Be a Lawyer
Becoming a great painter was not the first and most primary career goal for Matisse. This role was said to be filled with dreams of becoming a great lawyer and the schooling for that endeavor was almost complete when Matisse found his artistic stroke. Thank goodness that Matisse turned to the brush instead of dulling legalities.
1905 Was the Most Influential Year for Matisse
To pinpoint one year as a defining moment in the artist life, 1905 would be such a year. It was during this year that Matisse went south to work with an artistic colleague and friend, in a little cultural town of Colour France. It was also at this point that his color stroke broke free and this is how some of the greatest works of Matisse were constructed such as the ‘Open Window’. A view through an open window became a recurring theme in most of Matisse’s work and would open the door for such great work as the ‘Open Window’ and ‘Flowerpot’s’.
Matisse Loved Patterns
Matisse found that patterns would be a staple in most of his artistic expression after the age of 25. Many of these patterns can be seen in his greatest works such as the ‘Red Studio’ in 1911. These are just a few of some of the very interesting facts of an artist we all have learned to love and cherish.
Brandon Fuhrmann
Donald Flemming is an expert on art for http://www.ownapainting.com. Ownapainting.com offers 100% hand painted reproductions of 10,000 different paintings. For more information on Henry Matisse Reproductions or specific painting such as A Vase With Oranges visit ownapainting.com.
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