Henri Matisse and Impressionism (Image http://www.digitaljournal.com/ article/266164) Henri Matisse’s career as an artist took (Impressionism http:// many forms as he experimented with www.artistsguilds.com/art/matisse.htm) different styles, techniques and themes in his work. However, one of the styles most Description of Odalisque in Red Trousers commonly related to Matisse is impressionism. Odalisque in Red Trousers is a painting by During his studies to become a Henri Matisse. It is picture of a woman painter, he got to work with many laying on what appears to be either a bed influential impressionists. These or a pile of blankets and pillows. acquaintances led him to become interested The canvas of the painting is in exploring this field of arts himself. horizontally placed and the woman is In the late 1890’s Matisse’s laying with her head pointing toward the Odalisque In Red Trousers inspiration was strongly impacted by upper left corner. Her pose is quite relaxed Painting, Oil on Canvas 50.0 x 61.00cm Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism. He and her feet point toward the lower right Origin: France, c.1924-1925 begun to paint with boosted colors typical corner of the canvas. The woman’s right to this style. One example of his most leg i s under her left one, and her right (http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/orangerie/ famous impressionist paintings is the hand is touching her forehead. She is matisseimage.html) Odalisque, 1921. wearing a white tunic with big sleeves and red 3/4 length red trousers with golden decorations on the edges. In addition to the mattress the woman is The mattress under the woman is laying on, there are two other pieces of dark pink with green and yellow vertical furniture in the room. Right behind the stripes. Also the walls of the room are woman there is a small round black coffee patterned. There are three different motifs table with pink flowers in a white vase on on the otherwise blank wall behind the top of it. This coffee table is approximately woman. The pattern on the far right is a in the middle of the canvas. Behind the light blue background with pink flowers woman’s head, on the left side of the canvas, and green leaves on it. The middle pattern there is a brown wooden cupboard. On top is a slightly darker blue background with of the cupboard there are two objects: a yellow smudges, peach colored flowers golden or yellow jug and a small black vase and dark blue leaves on it. The third with white flowers. pattern, on the far left, is a grey patch with some yellow figures. HENRI Biography Henri-Émile-Benoît Matisse was a famous french painter, draughtsman and sculptor. He was born in Le Cateau- MATISSE Cambresis, France. Matisse’s parents, Emile Matisse and Héloise Gérars, 31 December 1869 - 3 November 1954 owned a small business in their home town. Although Matisse’s first plan was to become a lawyer, his interest toward arts developed after going through surgery in 1890. He couldn’t move out of bed for approximately a year and in Nymph and Satyr this state he discovered drawing to be an Painting, Oil on canvas, 89x117 cm interesting hobby. As his skills Origin: France, 1908 developed, he decided to study painting Theme: Classical Religion and Mythology instead of law. Matisse studied first at

the Academie Julian and after a year http://www.arthermitage.org/Henri-Matisse/Nymph-and- transferred to Gurstave Moreau’s studio Satyr.html at the Ecole Beaux-Arts. Matisse made his debut in 1896 at the Salon de la consisted of two sons, Jean and Pierre, a Societe. His first pieces showed a clear first born daughter, Marguerite and wife, influence of impressionism. Matisse might be best by the Amelie Paraere. Although the couple had common public by his paintings, such as their first child, Marguerite, in 1894, they the Odalisque in Red Trousers, but he did not marry till 1898. also contributed to the world of arts by Matisse died in 1954 after a widely producing numerous sculptures. successful career as an artist. In 1952 a Matisse’s career took him to museum, Musee Matisse, was opened in his numerous places in his life including birth town Le Cateau-Cambresis where it Paris, Egypt and Bordeaux (during the still stands today. Second World War). Despite the multiple changes in location, he was able to raise (http://www.abcgallery.com/M/matisse/) three children. His nuclear family matissebio.html)