The Guitarist 1903

Editor: This is Henri Matisse’s *The Guitarist*, painted in 1903. It's an oil painting. The almost clownish costume combined with the man's serious gaze feels… odd. What's your take? Curator: Odd is good! There's a beautiful unease, isn't there? It feels like Matisse is catching the guy mid-reverie, lost in the music, perhaps transported. And the loose brushstrokes… he's almost carving the figure out of pure emotion, wouldn't you agree? The background is also kind of wonderful, non? A battle between chaos and structure. Editor: Yes, I see what you mean. I was so caught up with the figure; I didn’t give much thought to the scene that's taking place in the background. Curator: Think of what's he left out! You see the way that the guitarist is constructed through colors and shadow rather than clear contours, you can also try and listen to the space in this picture – What does it sound like? Is he playing a mournful tune, or something more uplifting? The artist presents this, and you take whatever you desire, he lets you figure out how you feel! Editor: So, he’s giving us enough clues, but it's still on us to connect to the man, the guitar, the… performance? Curator: Exactly! And isn't that the heart of art, really? A conversation between the creator and the observer? Leaving a piece to the unknown is what is exciting! And you see that red tie, so small, yet so prominent! Beautiful little splash of madness Editor: True. Now I see it less as "odd" and more as… human. Full of feeling. That helps unlock the scene, for me. Curator: Absolutely. The best art usually does. The more you dive into it the more rewarding it is, non? Editor: Thanks for the insight. Now I can definitely look at "The Guitarist" with fresh ears, and… eyes! Curator: Pleasure! Now, on to the next performance!