Polynesia, the sky 1946

"Polynesia, the Sky" (1946) by Henri Matisse is a gouache on paper that embodies the artist's signature "cut-outs" style, where he utilizes paper shapes for artistic expression. This artwork showcases Matisse's later artistic period, a time when he explored bold colors and simplified forms, prioritizing decorative elements. The work is composed of white cut-out shapes of birds and sea life juxtaposed against a vibrant blue background, creating a rhythmic and playful composition that reflects the artist's fascination with Polynesian culture and the vastness of the sky. The work is currently housed in the Musee d’Art Moderne de Troyes, France.