Young English Girl 1947

"Young English Girl" (1947) by Henri Matisse (1869-1954) is a striking example of the artist's later work, characterized by simplification of form and bold, flat color. The composition is dominated by a white figure of a young woman in a dress, set against a vibrant red background. The figure's face is simplified, lacking detail, and the background is rendered in a flat, unmodulated red, typical of Matisse's use of color. The painting's directness and expressive use of color reflect the artist's focus on the essential elements of form and color in his later career.