Femme Assise Sur Un Balcon 1919

Henri Matisse painted ‘Femme Assise Sur Un Balcon’ with oils and probably turpentine, coaxing the paint over the canvas with loose washes of colour. I can almost see him dabbing at the surface, adding in details, and then rubbing them away again with a rag. When he made this, I wonder if he felt like he was in conversation with other painters, maybe Manet? Matisse has such a unique vision and it’s fun to imagine him in his studio, playing with colour and form, and maybe grappling with the challenge of capturing a fleeting moment. The thin watery pinks and blues create a calm, harmonious surface, but there are also these unexpected touches. Notice the pink floor which makes the whole scene feel intimate and immediate. Then there’s the woman's face, with her dark eyes which meet ours, inviting us into this space and moment. It is a process of exchange, isn't it? We are always building on what's come before, inspired by those who dared to see the world in their own way.