Lesquielles St Germain 1903

Henri Matisse painted this landscape, Lesquielles St Germain, with oil on canvas, capturing a small village scene. The colors in this painting are pretty subdued, mostly greens and browns, but it’s the way Matisse applies the paint that really grabs you. Notice how he uses these quick, confident strokes, like he’s trying to capture the feeling of the place, not just the look of it. It's a process that's all about immediacy. Look at the road in the foreground, the paint is thick and textured, with visible brushstrokes that give it a sense of movement and light. Then there is the way the buildings are formed by simple blocky shapes. Think about how Matisse inspired artists like Milton Avery, they both had a similar desire to simplify and flatten forms, but still create something emotionally resonant. Art’s like that, an ongoing conversation. There's no one right way to see it, just endless possibilities.