Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse (1869–1954) was a French artist whose work helped shape modern art. He emerged as a leading figure of Fauvism, a movement known for bold, expressive color and simplified forms, and he remained influential across decades of experimentation. Although best known as a painter, Matisse also produced sculpture and printmaking, extending his exploration of line, pattern, and composition across different media. His art often balanced decorative richness with clarity and structure, and his innovations in color and design made him a central reference point for later twentieth-century artists. Matisse died in 1954.