Henri Matisse
1869-1954 · French (Le Cateau-Cambrésis/Paris/Nice) · Fauvism / Modern Art
Known for: Leader of the Fauves whose explosive colors and radical simplification defined modern art
Matisse was one of the two titans of 20th-century art. His explosive colors at the 1905 Salon earned him the nickname 'Wild Beast' and launched Fauvism. The Dance, The Red Studio, and his late paper cut-outs are among the most joyful and revolutionary works of the modern era.
After cancer surgery left him bedridden, he invented paper cut-outs, calling it 'painting with scissors' - producing some of his greatest work while confined to bed.
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