Beside the Window 1921

Henri Matisse’s “Beside the Window” from 1921 portrays a woman in a simple white dress standing in a room, looking out a window toward a sea scene. The scene is painted with bold, flat colors and simplified forms, characteristics of Matisse's Fauvist style. The artist's use of color and the sense of light and shadow help to create a serene and contemplative mood. This painting is a quintessential example of Matisse’s later work which uses simple, flowing lines, and vibrant color to capture the beauty of everyday life.