1. Henri Matisse 1869 - 1954 One of the Greatest Painters of the 20 th Century

2. From Lawyer to Painter While studying to become a lawyer, Matisse became very ill and had to have an appendectomy. While studying to become a lawyer, Matisse became very ill and had to have an appendectomy. While he was recovering, his mother gave him a small box of paints to help pass the time. While he was recovering, his mother gave him a small box of paints to help pass the time. He became very interested in painting and gave up law to become an artist. He became very interested in painting and gave up law to become an artist.

3. A Conventional Form of Naturalism His earlier paintings show the influence of the post-Impressionists Paul Cézanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Paul Signac but he is struck by Japanese art as well. His earlier paintings show the influence of the post-Impressionists Paul Cézanne, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Paul Signac but he is struck by Japanese art as well. Paul Cézanne Van Gogh Paul Cézanne Van Gogh The painting is called The Dinner Table is a good example of the post-Impressionistic style. The painting is called The Dinner Table is a good example of the post-Impressionistic style.

4. Boldness and Color His style began to imitate primitive art by using bolder colors. His style began to imitate primitive art by using bolder colors. This portrait of his wife entitled, The Green Line, reflects his new style of painting. This portrait of his wife entitled, The Green Line, reflects his new style of painting.

5. Japanese Art This painting is called Japanese Mask. This painting is called Japanese Mask. The artist uses cut paper to develop his oriental style. The artist uses cut paper to develop his oriental style.

6. Friendships Matisse develops many friendships but one of the most interesting is his friendship with Picasso. Matisse develops many friendships but one of the most interesting is his friendship with Picasso. Picasso paints from his imagination while Matisse paints from nature as is shown from this picture called Tahiti Landscape. Picasso paints from his imagination while Matisse paints from nature as is shown from this picture called Tahiti Landscape.

7. Oriental Art Matisse begins to study oriental art around 1910. Matisse begins to study oriental art around 1910. This picture called Goldfish with Sculpture helps us understand his mix of bold colors with an oriental theme. This picture called Goldfish with Sculpture helps us understand his mix of bold colors with an oriental theme.

8. Lydia Delectorskaya Portrait of Lydia Delectorskaya is a painting of a woman that Matisse met in 1935. Portrait of Lydia Delectorskaya is a painting of a woman that Matisse met in 1935. Matisse describes her as having come from Siberia and having long golden hair, blue eyes, white skin, and finely cut features. Matisse describes her as having come from Siberia and having long golden hair, blue eyes, white skin, and finely cut features.

9. Papiers Découpés (paper cutouts). Matisse develops a new artistic style with paper. Matisse develops a new artistic style with paper. One of his designs included large paper cutouts that were used in stained-glass windows in churches - like the picture at the bottom of this slide that is of cut outs for the window Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence. One of his designs included large paper cutouts that were used in stained-glass windows in churches - like the picture at the bottom of this slide that is of cut outs for the window Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence.

10. Matisse died on November 3, 1954 in Nice, France, from a heart attack. Matisse died on November 3, 1954 in Nice, France, from a heart attack. Before his death at age 83, he donated 100 of his works valued at up to $14,000,000 to his hometown of Le Cateau, France. Before his death at age 83, he donated 100 of his works valued at up to $14,000,000 to his hometown of Le Cateau, France. Matisse always remembered to follow his mothers advice when he began his pursuit of art. She told him to not follow the rules of art but to listen to his emotions. Matisse always remembered to follow his mothers advice when he began his pursuit of art. She told him to not follow the rules of art but to listen to his emotions.