The Woman with the Screen
- Original dimensions
- 42.2 x 34 cm
- Museum
- Barnes Foundation
- Year
- 1919
Scene depicted
This canvas reveals a woman with an ethereal presence, delicately posed behind a screen, symbolizing both intimacy and separation. The sensual curves and floral patterns that surround the female figure place her at the center of a dynamic composition. The light, carefully filtered, draws shadows as soft as whispers, creating an environment filled with emotions and mysteries.
Historical context
Created in 1919, this painting is emblematic of a time rich in artistic upheaval, marking the Fauvist movement of which Matisse was one of the main actors. In the heart of Philadelphia, at the Barnes Foundation , this canvas tells a vibrant story of a changing world. This masterpiece stands at the crossroads of modernity and tradition, capturing the essence of a society in search of identity.
Place in the artist's career
The Woman Behind the Screen is part of a pivotal period in Matisse's career. It comes just after significant works like The Joy of Life and The Dance, where color and form are liberated from realistic constraints. This canvas testifies to his stylistic evolution, in search of an abstraction that dares to express sensations.
Anecdote
“Art must be an expression of life, a breath of freedom,” said Matisse. It was on a gentle spring morning, surrounded by the filtered light of an open window, that he sketched this canvas . Inspired by the delicate beauty of the woman, this moment of grace is at the heart of The Woman Behind the Screen, a pictorial work that celebrates vitality and lightness.