Collioure Interior 1905

Henri Matisse painted this scene, “Collioure Interior,” using oil on canvas with an optimistic, playful approach to color and form. You can feel the pure joy Matisse experienced when laying down those strokes. Look closely, and you'll see how he’s used thin layers of paint to create this sense of light and air, especially in the upper portion of the piece. This really allows the white of the canvas to radiate through. He almost seems to sketch with the paint, using these loose, expressive lines to define the shapes of the room. I love how Matisse juxtaposes the cool blues and greens with the warm pinks and oranges, creating a sense of balance and harmony. I’m drawn to the lower left corner where there are broad strokes of dark green to suggest foliage. Matisse makes me think of Bonnard, with their similar use of color. Both allow you to enter their world, and maybe even stay a while. This painting is a reminder that art can be both complex and joyful.