Odalisque 1923

"Odalisque" (1923) by Henri Matisse, depicts a woman in a relaxed pose against a vibrantly colored background. The figure is partially clothed in a sheer, flowing robe and a blue headscarf, emphasizing the sensuality of her form. Matisse's bold use of color and flattened planes characterize this work, a signature style of the artist, who became a leading figure of the Fauvist movement. The flatness of the image, use of bright color and focus on the figure are all features that tie the painting to the Fauvist movement, and make the painting readily identifiable as one of Matisse's works.