Music (Sketch) 1907

Henri Matisse made this painting "Music (Sketch)" with oil on canvas, and it's now here at MoMA. The colours are simple; the marks are bold. You can almost see Matisse moving the brush. It’s about feeling your way through the process. Look closely at the lines defining the figures, thick and dark against their skin. The paint's not trying to hide anything. It’s not precious; it’s honest. See how the green is brushed roughly in the background? It makes the space feel alive, unfinished. It gives the painting energy, doesn’t it? The embracing figures, they feel more like a sensation than a picture. Matisse was always experimenting, pushing colour and form. He’s not afraid to leave things open, allowing us to bring our own stories and feelings. Think about other artists who were inspired by him: maybe someone like Milton Avery, who also found beauty in the simple shapes and colors. Art's all about conversation, isn’t it?