Matisse

Question 1

1) Matisse was impacted negatively by the war years

Answer 1

• In 1940 when the Natzi’s invaded France, he chose to
  stay, rather than flee his occupation.
• His work was chosen to be exhibited with other artists
  that the Natzi’s approved of but he had to sign an oath,
  showing his allegiance to Hitler
• He was therefore restricted in mixing with non Jewish
  artists and fully expressing himself

Question 2

2) Matisse was influenced by the style of Post

Impressionism

Answer 2

• Especially Cezanne’s bold + unusual style
• Particularly his painting ‘the Large Bathers’ which is
  very similar in style to Matisse’s painting ‘Bathers With a
  Turtle’ in composition + colour

Question 3

3) Matisse’s work was influenced by his travels in North

Africa

Answer 3

• He loved the simplicity of Primitive art + Islamic art in
  Algeria
• A trip to Tangiers triggered the use of blacks in his work
• This can be seen in his bold patterned fabrics in the
  backgrounds of his work

Question 4

4) Matisse’s work was impacted by being diagnosed with

cancer

Answer 4

• He was unable to paint as he was bedridden for
  months, so he turned to collage using paper + scissors
  which was easier + created his famous cutouts

Question 5

5) Matisse was the most prominent artist of the fauvist

movement

Answer 5

• This influenced his work with the use of broad brush
  strokes + bright colours
• The members were likened to the ‘Fauves’ or ‘Wild
  Animals’ amongst their contemporaries