Brittany (also known as Boat) 1896

Henri Matisse made 'Brittany', or 'Boat', with oil on canvas in 1896. Matisse engaged with the established tradition of oil painting, but his approach was far from academic. He laid down the paint in thick strokes, creating a textured surface that captures the raw, rugged feel of the Brittany coastline. You can almost feel the wind and the dampness of the air. The material qualities of oil paint – its viscosity, its ability to blend and reflect light – are all on display here. The way Matisse applied the paint, with visible brushstrokes, emphasizes the labor involved in its creation. This directness contrasts with the slick, polished surfaces often associated with 'high art', connecting the painting to the world of manual work and the everyday lives of the people who lived and worked in this coastal region. Matisse transformed this traditional medium into a vehicle for expressing a modern sensibility, bridging the gap between the studio and the world outside.