Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse, born in 1869 in Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France, was a pioneering French artist known for his bold use of color and innovative forms. Originally trained in law, he turned to art after a period of illness and studied at the École des Beaux-Arts under Gustave Moreau. Matisse became the leader of the Fauvist movement, creating vibrant works like Woman with a Hat (1905) and The Joy of Life (1906). In his later years, despite health challenges, he developed his famous “cut-out” technique, producing iconic pieces such as The Snail (1953). Matisse’s groundbreaking contributions to modern art continue to influence artists today. He passed away in 1954 in Nice, France.