Matisse Master of Color

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Matisse Master of Color

• By Sarah Meador and Charissa Ruth

Looks oddly like Nathaniel Green
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How Matisse reflected alienation after WWI

• His extreme artistic style perturbed public
  opinion already rife with pessimism and paranoia.
• He reflected the idea of human barbarism people
  were seen as little more than violent, savage
  beasts.
• Subject matter was not the problem, rather his
  technique with vivid color and strong line,
  rejecting previous artistic traditions.
• Part of the Fauvist moment which embodied modern
  style, attitude unifying element-bold color

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Woman Before an Aquarium
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Woman Before an Aquarium

• Painted 1921-23
• Matisse visited Algeria and Morocco, and was
  greatly influenced
• He was blown away by the intense colors and
  intense light that seemed to break apart forms
  and flatten perspective

• These trips also peaked his interest in
  non-Western art
• The woman displays a very wistful look while
  watching the fish

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Decorative Figure on an Ornamental Ground
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Decorative Figure on an Ornamental Ground

• Painted Late 1925 - Spring 1926
• Contrasts a very detailed and interesting
  background against a very straight-back,
  un-detailed nude panted with broad black
  brushstrokes
• It could be inferred that Matisse is trying to
  reflect the feeling of human nature being broken
  and imperfect by comparing it next to a beautiful
  and ornamental background
• Rejection of classical beauty
• Represented the new way people began to perceive
  sexuality
• Figure is unyielding and unattached from the
  audience

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Femme au manteau violet (Woman in a Purple Coat)
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Femme au manteau violet (Woman in a Purple Coat)

• Painted 1937
• Model-Lydia Delectorskaya who had been greatly
  affected by WWI
• Fauvist connection is easily identifiable
• Model dressed in traditional Moroccan outfit

• Uses decorative background also seen in
  Decorative Figure on Ornamental Ground
• Bold Colors, and broad brushstrokes

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Questions for Discussion

• Whatchaya going to do? Whatchaya going to do when
  they come for you? Bad boys, bad boys, whatchaya
  going to do?