Laurette in Green Dress, Black Background
- Original dimensions
- 54.3 x 73 cm
- Museum
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Year
- 1916
Scene depicted
Laurette, dressed in a bright green dress, appears as an almost sculptural figure against a black background, a bold choice that creates a striking contrast. Her introspective gaze captivates the observer, inviting exploration of an unsuspected psychological universe, where emotions intertwine with the depth of colors, amplifying the visual language of the painting .
Historical context
Artwork: Laurette in a Green Dress, Black Background |BRK| Artist: Henri Matisse |BRK| Year: 1916 |BRK| Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art |BRK| Dimensions: 54.3 x 73 cm |BRK| Major Exhibitions: Twentieth-Century Modern Masters: The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection |BRK|
Place in the artist's career
This masterpiece sits at the heart of Matisse's career, illustrating the maturity of his artistic language. Straddling his Fauvist work and his later experiments, it dialogues with works such as “The Dance” and “The Joy of Life,” demonstrating a palpable evolution towards unprecedented emotional depth.
Anecdote
In a delicate breath, Matisse is said to have confided: “Color is a means of getting closer to the soul of things.” One summer afternoon, while seeking the very essence of beauty, the scene of Laurette manifested. Capturing the twilight light and the fragrant warmth of flowers, this pictorial work was born, vibrating with intimacy.
Major exhibitions
Twentieth-Century Modern Masters: The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection