Lemons and Mimosa 1944

Curator: Here we have Henri Matisse's "Lemons and Mimosa" from 1944, an oil painting. What's your initial read on it? Editor: Visually, the work comes off a bit startling at first! I mean, such dark backdrops really bring out the rich colors. Is that a fauvist style? Curator: In many ways, yes. Note the high-keyed colors and the simplified forms— trademarks of Fauvism. I would propose though to look closer at how World War II influenced Matisse. Consider the role of pleasure and escape in art produced during periods of great uncertainty. There's this tension. Editor: That really shifts my perception of it! The production during times of crisis offers layers. I look at the texture of those lemons in comparison to the glossy vase! What material is that vase anyway, do we know the origins? Curator: As an interesting insight in symbolism we can recognize that citrus fruits became incredibly symbolic within resistance culture, especially when regular comforts were limited and there were also ways they appeared in paintings to depict a means to acquire resources during times of difficulty. Editor: Right, food commodities had complex histories behind how we received them, I now appreciate that a still life from the war year contains hidden narrative that's accessible today with awareness, but not so visible otherwise! Curator: Exactly. These items, now captured on canvas, are far more than everyday pleasures but, in the historical context, become statements unto themselves! Editor: Thinking about production, it also makes me consider wartime pigment limitations. I will now notice those textures even more. Curator: So you are now seeing layers, yes? Editor: Layers for sure. From pigment limitations to social resistance depicted with common objects to our historical placement of it and now a personal interpretation. Thanks for sharing this background with me! Curator: My pleasure, you've successfully applied the understanding of this background toward looking into materials more as evidence.