Marguerite with a Leather Hat 1918

Henri Matisse painted Marguerite with a Leather Hat, using bold strokes and a somewhat muted palette, creating a composition with a focus on form and line. The hat, rendered in deep blues, immediately captures our gaze, its texture implied through rapid brushstrokes. Matisse's approach to portraiture here isn’t about capturing a likeness but rather about exploring the interplay between color and form. The planes of Marguerite’s face are simplified, almost geometric, pushing the boundaries of representation. The heavy outlines and broad blocks of color, particularly in the black dress, serve to flatten the image, moving away from traditional perspective. Matisse challenges conventional notions of beauty and representation. It's as if he's asking us to reconsider what it means to see, to perceive the world not as it is, but as a series of dynamic, intersecting forms and colours. The painting invites us to engage with the act of seeing itself, a theme that would continue to define Matisse's innovative approach to art.