From Fauvism to the Cut-Outs and the chapel in Vence, we will discuss Matisse's ability to reinvent himself, which made of him one of the most important artists of the first half of the 20th century. Beyond his public status as a "giant" of modern art --Picasso's only rival-- we will also try to understand who Matisse really was as an artist and man. From the moment Matisse started to paint, he associated painting with self-expression in a liberating way. Throughout the study of his works, taken from all the periods in his career, we will explore how and why Matisse painted the way he did. We will look into "the decorative", a concept Matisse used to explain how his works should impact viewers. And beyond the well-known paintings and cut-outs, we will also study his sculptures and drawings.
Course aim
From Fauvism to the Cut-Outs, we will study Matisse's oeuvre, and try to understand why his art is attractive to so many of us.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- retrace the different steps in Matisse's career
- describe what the "decorative" meant for Matisse and what he saw as art's purpose
- discuss Matisse's status in the history of modern art
- analyse one of his most important paintings by recounting its history and describing its composition
What else do I need to know?
Nothing else is needed
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