Dix Danseuses VI 1925 - 1926

Henri Matisse created 'Dix Danseuses VI' with pencil, capturing a dancer in a moment of repose. It's all in the marks here, right? The sketch lines dance across the page, some are bold and assertive, others gentle and almost hesitant, like whispers. You can almost feel the push and pull of his hand, the energy of his observation. Look at the way he suggests the folds of the tutu, the soft shadows under her arm. The paper isn't just a surface, it’s part of the image; it’s breathing. The tooth of the paper grabs at the graphite, creating areas of light and shadow that give the figure volume and depth, but there is a sense of stillness and quietude, the dancer appears to be resting, taking time for herself. The drawing reminds me of Degas and his pastels, but Matisse brings something looser, more immediate. There’s a sense of embracing the ephemeral.