Paysage avec cyprès et oliviers aux environs de Nice c. 1918

This landscape with cypress and olive trees near Nice is by Henri Matisse. The paint is slathered on with juicy strokes, especially in the greens of the foliage and grass. It feels like he was really present, making quick decisions, and trusting his eye. It’s not overworked; there’s a sense of immediacy. I’m drawn to the way he’s rendered the trees – how the dark greens and blacks are contrasted by the lighter blues, almost like he’s using color to sculpt the forms. It's funny, because I feel like this painting could be a conversation with someone like Van Gogh. Van Gogh's cypress trees are so turbulent, so full of emotional intensity, whereas Matisse brings a sense of calm observation. It's a reminder that art is a dialogue, artists responding to one another across time.