Artwork Description

Artist: Henri Matisse
Title: Orphée
Date: 1945
Medium: Lithograph on wove paper
Dimensions: 28 x 22 cm
Condition Report: In good condition

A delicate and expressive line drawing by Henri Matisse, Orphée depicts the mythological musician Orpheus with his harp, surrounded by trees. This work serves as the frontispiece for Les musiciens célèbres by Jean Lacroix, reflecting Matisse’s mastery in capturing movement and emotion with minimal yet fluid lines. The composition’s simplicity evokes both harmony and rhythm, hallmarks of Matisse’s later works.

About the Artist:
Henri Matisse (born December 31, 1869, Le Cateau, Picardy, France—died November 3, 1954, Nice) was a pivotal figure in modern art and is often regarded as the most influential French painter of the 20th century. As the leader of the Fauvist movement around 1900, Matisse revolutionized the use of color and form, pursuing an expressive and vibrant approach throughout his career. His works, whether paintings, drawings, or paper cut-outs, often depict domestic and figurative subjects infused with a Mediterranean vitality. His legacy continues to shape contemporary art and design.