Henri Matisse – Homme et Femme, 1942 – Ink

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Ink on paper Signed, dated "26/12 42" and inscribed in his own hand "à la fête à neuneu 6 boules pour 20 jours".

This 1942 ink drawing by Henri Matisse depicts an elegantly dressed couple rendered with the artist's characteristic economy of line. The woman wears a feathered hat and flowing dress while her companion stands in formal attire, both captured through fluid, unbroken contours that convey volume and personality with remarkable efficiency. Inscribed by Matisse with a reference to a local fairground, the drawing reveals the artist's ability to transform everyday observation into timeless compositional grace. Created during the Occupation years, it demonstrates the sustained mastery of draftsmanship that defined Matisse's wartime output.

Henri Matisse (France, 1869–1954) was a pioneer of Fauvism, celebrated for his vibrant use of color and bold, expressive forms. His work spanned painting, sculpture, and paper cut-outs, with masterpieces like The Red Room and his Blue Nudes. Matisse's innovative approach continues to influence modern art and design.

Henri Matisse

Homme et Femme, 1942

Form

Drawing / Watercolor

Drawing / WatercolorDrawing and watercolor are two traditional art techniques which stand alone as media, but are often used in conjunction with each other. Drawing can create the basic outlines for watercolor painting. Drawing over dried watercolor or using watercolor pencils are combined media techniques.

Medium

Ink

InkInk is a colored liquid or paste used for writing, drawing, painting, and printing. The term also refers to the process of applying ink to mark, cover, stain, draw, or trace over pencil lines. Ink can be applied using various tools, such as pens, brushes, and quills.

Edition

Unique work

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●Inventory 17322

●Signed

Limited Edition Print

Lithograph

USD 10,500

Henri Matisse

L'Espagnol à la mantille, 1925

Limited Edition Print

Etching and Aquatint

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Drawing is putting a line around an idea.

- Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse was a French artist whose pioneering use of color and innovative techniques established him as one of the most influential figures in modern art. His practice spanned painting, sculpture, printmaking, and later, his renowned cut-out collages. As a leader of the Fauvist movement, Matisse used bold, non-naturalistic colors and expressive brushstrokes to create works that conveyed joy and emotion. His vibrant palette and simplified forms challenged traditional ideas of representation, focusing instead on harmony and the emotional impact of art.

In the later years of his career, Matisse developed his iconic 'cut-outs,' where he used scissors to create dynamic shapes from painted paper. This revolutionary technique demonstrated his lifelong commitment to exploring the essence of form and color. Themes of nature, human figures, and interior spaces permeate his work, which celebrates beauty and vitality. Matisse’s legacy stands alongside that of Picasso, shaping the course of 20th-century art and inspiring countless generations of artists.

Evergreen Artists: Why Picasso, Matisse, Miró and Chagall Remain Relevant Today

Artists - February 14, 2025

Homme et Femme, 1942

26.7 x 20.3 cm

Language & Currency

Henri Matisse