I bought this book in my final year of university (like most on the list), I have and was really interested in colour theory. Matisse’s work has always had a strong sense of colour so I am really excited to read this book cover to cover.
This is Matisse starts off with the perfect quote “Henry Matisse dreamed of ‘an art of balance, of purity and serenity… something like a good armchair which provides relaxation.”pg 5. The book starts with a basic over view of Matisse’s career as an attempt to find order in chaos and misery, and affirm the richness and beauty of life.
I found it really interesting how his childhood was in a bleak and highly industrialised town, he longed for vibrancy and light which was brought to his village through visitors and circuses. This vibrancy anticipated his future aesthetic.
Textiles from his home town of Bohain were vibrant and decorative, this notion of finding art in the everyday is one that inspires me.
The Dance (image 4) is a work that has always drawn me to Matisse and the reason I bought the book because I wanted to learn more about the piece. The space informs the piece but also the vibrant colours are bold as are the forms in the work
“Matisse would reflect that ‘the artist has but one idea.’ He is born with it and spends a lifetime developing it and making it breathe.” This notion of personal and aesthetic development I find really interesting and is something I saw throughout my practice during my degree as well.
From depicting Matisse’s influences, relationships and his growth throughout his career the book was detailed without feeling as though the book was dragging.
The book gave me a lot to think about but also more to look into. The book mentions Matisse’s manifesto ‘Notes of a Painter’ which is something I want to read. I also want to look further into the colour theory of Chevreul that inspired Signac and Matisse.
So that is book #1 done, and has motivated me to keep going with this project.
I hope you check out book #2, post coming this week.
M
Margaux's Reading List 