Meditating Monk 1903

Henri Matisse's *Meditating Monk*, painted in 1903, portrays a contemplative figure, likely a monk or hermit, seated in a simplified composition with muted colors. The figure's clasped hands and downcast eyes convey an air of introspection and spiritual serenity. Matisse, known for his expressive brushstrokes, uses bold lines and flattened forms to create a sense of depth and volume, characteristic of his early Fauvist style. This painting is a poignant representation of spiritual contemplation and captures the essence of the monk's meditative state.