Studio, Quay of Saint-Michel 1916

Henri Matisse made this painting, Studio, Quay of Saint-Michel, with oil on canvas. The painting is a process! Here, Matisse uses a dark, almost somber palette for the room, which makes the red patterned blanket with the nude model really pop. I like how the thick paint creates a tangible texture, the way the brushstrokes build up, particularly in the darker areas, giving a sense of depth and mystery. Look closely at the nude on the blanket: the way Matisse delineates her form with bold, almost crude strokes. It's not about perfect representation, but about capturing the essence of the figure, her weight and presence in the space. The painting almost feels like an early trial for paintings like "Dance" or "Music" at The Barnes. Matisse reminds us that art is less about answers and more about the questions we ask, the paths we explore, and the conversations we start.