Nu à l’étoile 1938

"Nu à l’étoile" (1938) is a work by the French artist Henri Matisse (1869-1954). This black and white lithograph utilizes the artistic technique of line drawing to depict a nude figure against a dark background. This simplicity in composition epitomizes Matisse’s later artistic career and is a strong example of his "drawing with scissors" technique, which relies on a bold, simplified approach to form. The single, stylized star in the upper left corner adds a touch of abstraction and further emphasizes the figure's centrality.