Art Masters: Henri Matisse

For art lovers and modernist enthusiasts, this illustrated biography explores Henri Matisse's life in early 20th-century France and his lasting impact on contemporary art.

Renowned as an expert colorist and as a member of the Fauve movement of the early 20th century, Henri Matisse left a huge imprint on the art world with his development of style, use of color and draughtsmanship. This concise introduction to his work, with a plethora of full-color illustrations, takes the reader on a journey through Matisse's life, revealing his early life and childhood influences in northern France together with his student days in Paris, where he learned to appreciate the work of Poussin and Watteau as well as Manet and Pissarro. Additionally, the book examines the development of Matisse's style: his notoriety as a Fauvist ('wild beast'); his lengthy friendship with Picasso; and his progression from painter to master of dcoupage. In the final chapter, there is an assessment of his legacy and the artists who, in their turn, were influenced by this titan of art.