Flowers and Fruit 1909

Henri Matisse made this painting, titled "Flowers and Fruit" with oil on canvas, and you can really see him working through the paint. The brushstrokes are very evident, aren’t they? It's like he's inviting us to witness the act of creation itself. I love how the paint's texture adds a sort of playful, energetic vibe. Matisse's use of color is just outstanding, popping against each other and making the whole thing vibrate. The painting looks like it's alive, and the surface of the painting is almost as important as the objects represented! Take a look at the stems of the flowers in the top left. Notice how the brushstrokes are loose and gestural, but still manage to convey the sense of organic form. Matisse reminds me of Morandi. They both take the humblest of subjects and make something beautiful out of it. I think this piece encapsulates the idea that art is an ongoing exchange of ideas across time, always open to new interpretations.