The Young Sailor I 1906

Henri Matisse created "The Young Sailor I" using oil on canvas sometime in the early 20th century, a period characterized by significant social and artistic change. Note the figure’s androgynous presentation, and the gendering of labor through his clothing. The sailor suit can be viewed through a lens of the social expectations placed upon young men during this period. As a symbol, what does the sailor's uniform represent about the intersection of class, labor, and the construction of masculinity? Consider Matisse’s Fauvist use of color and the flattening of form. Rather than creating a realistic depiction, he uses color and brushwork to convey emotion and depth. Matisse is quoted as saying: "I don't paint things - I only paint the difference between things." The emotional ambiguity of the figure invites us to consider the complexities and nuances of identity. It encourages us to reflect on societal expectations and the individual's struggle for self-expression.