Henri Matisse - Artist Biography

Similar to many of the most beloved artists, Henri Matisse did not begin painting until well into adulthood. Prior to his artistic rebirth, Matisse was a law clerk in northern France, studying to become a lawyer. At the age of 21, Henri Matisse became seriously ill and was bed-ridden, giving him ample time to explore his artistic side. As a result, some of his most famous sketches and emotional works were created during this period.

In 1892, Matisse put an end to his law practice and pursued art classes at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris, attempting a number of styles and mediums. Matisse was heavily influenced by the Impressionist movement, borrowing from the esteemed artistic styles of Cezanne, Van Gogh, Pissarro, and Gauguin. By 1905, Matisse mastered his own style, employing bold vivid colors and broad-brush strokes. As Matisse became more experimental with his color pallet, his works were widely regarded as wild and daring.

In 1906, Matisse completed one of his most highly respected paintings, "The Joy of Life." This masterpiece is acclaimed as one of the most important works of the Twentieth Century. Interestingly enough, this painting was hidden away from the public eye for over 70 years, until the Barnes Foundation put it up for display in 1993.

Finally, in 1941 Matisse underwent abdominal cancer surgery which greatly affected his health, putting an end to his painting. No longer able to stand at an easel, he continued his expression of color through vivid paper cut-outs, employing the same strong colors and unique compositions that were common in his paintings.

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