Odalisques 1928

Matisse painted these Odalisques with oil on canvas and just look at that colour! He lays down these planes of colour with such confidence and a love of pure pigment, it’s all about the pleasure of artmaking as a process. The paint is applied in thin, almost translucent layers, allowing the canvas texture to peek through in places. It’s not about concealing the process, but embracing it. Check out the lower figure's blue dress. The brushstrokes are visible, almost haphazard, yet they create a sense of depth and volume. I love that shade of blue! It feels both vibrant and calming, like a summer sky. Matisse is in conversation with artists like Ingres and Delacroix, but pushing it, always looking for new ways to explore colour and form. It's a reminder that art is an ongoing dialogue, a conversation that spans generations. There are no definitive answers, just endless possibilities.