Odalisque Couchée aux Magnolias 1923

Henri Matisse's *Odalisque Couchée aux Magnolias* (1923) is a striking example of his signature Fauvist style. The painting depicts a nude woman reclining on a couch with magnolias in the background. Matisse's bold use of color and simplified forms is apparent in the vibrant green and yellow stripes of the couch, the white of the woman's robe, and the bright white of the magnolias. The figure itself is elongated and stylized, reflecting Matisse's interest in decorative design and the expressive use of line. The painting's sensuality and decorative qualities are characteristic of Matisse's exploration of the female form and the exotic.